BY MAKOKWA CLARA MUYENDEKWA
TWO sureties have been slapped with contempt of court after failing to bring an accused person to court on three occasions.
Senior Resident Magistrate Peter Mungala ordered that the sureties be kept in custody until the 23 December 2021.
This is in a matter where Harriet Mukwato and Christine Munsaka of Choma’s Sha and Zambia Compounds respectively, are sureties to accused person, Peter Muchindu , charged with two others for illegal possession of protected animal namely, a pangolin.
Charles Siazilo is the first accused and Griffen Hambayi is the third accused and all three are facing charges, contrary to section 130 subsection 1 of the Zambia Wild Life Act no.14 of 2015 of the laws of Zambia
However, ruling has on three occasions not been delivered due to the second accused person absconding court on 22 November, 29 November, 2 December 2021.
When asked why the accused person has not been before court on the past dates, both sureties told court that they have been communicating with the accused and had assured then m of his presence except on 22 November 2021 when he was unwell.
Senior Resident Magistrate Peter Mungala sent the sureties into custody as punishment for contempt and has adjourned the matter to 28 December to allow the arresting officer uphold the bench warrant for the accused and for possible ruling.
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