Ex-minister threatens to slap journalists

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 08:22:57 +0000

By Charles Musonda

FORMER North Western Province minister Dawson Kafwaya yesterday threatened violence against journalists covering a case in which he is a complainant at the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court complex.

Mr. Kafwaya had gone to the court premises for a matter where he was allegedly swindled out of K40,000 cash in a botched purchase of a plot but when he saw the journalists filming him the former minister got incensed and warned that he was going to slap anyone doing so.

He said there were UPND cadres within the court premises and appearing in the picture with them would make viewers think he was part of them.

Muvi TV reporter Naomi Ng’andu was shocked that Mr. Kafwaya could ask her and her colleague to get his permission before filming him when he was the one who had gone to the TV station to lobby for a reporter to cover the case.

This was in a case where Lusaka businessman Morgan Muzambalika is charged with two counts of obtaining money by false pretences.

It was alleged that between January and April, 2016, with intent to deceive or defraud, Muzambalika of Chamba Valley obtained K40,000 from Mr. Kafwaya by falsely pretending that he was selling a plot when in fact not.

In the other count, Muzambalika is charged with obtaining K40,000 from Mr Gershom Mwewa by falsely pretending that he was selling a plot when in fact not.

Muzambalika has pleaded not guilty to both counts and his trial will start on May 8, 2017, before Magistrate David Simusamba.