Fri, 23 Feb 2018 08:02:14 +0000
By KELVIN SIABANA
THE Wusakile Local Court in Kitwe has fined two ruling Patriotic Front (PF) a ward leaders K1,500 each for insulting and threatening to kill, Mercy Centre Apostolic Mission founder, Apostle Patrick Chibeshi.
Luangwa ward chairperson, Edward Chilambe and ward publicity secretary Gideon Muone, were fined for insulting and threatening to kill Apostle Patrick Chibeshi of Luangwa Township in Wusakile constituency.
In her judgment, Wusakile Local Court Justice Beatrice Kabelenga said the money would be paid in three installments to Apostle Chibeshi starting with K500 to be paid every month end beginning March 30, 2018.
Facts before the court were that Mr Chilambe and Mr Muone on February 11, 2018 hurled insults at Apostle Chibeshi who was at the time visiting relatives, friends and family members whose houses were flooded due to the heavy rains, which was worsened by the poor drainage system in the area.
The incident happened in Luangwa Township’s Humanism section area where Apostle Chibeshi had left his vehicle by the roadside as he visited friends and family affected by floods.
The two ward officials had blocked his vehicle but when he confronted them, they told him off using abusive language, saying he had no right to speak to the affected residents.
The local court heard that despite Apostle Chibeshi and the affected residents in the area trying to reason with Mr Chilambe and Muone the two officials were adamant.
They insisted the clergyman had no written permission from Luangwa Ward councillor Evaristo Chilufya to talk to residents whose houses were flooded.
This prompted heated arguments which eventually escalated into insults and a near a punch up.
Justice Kabelenga said after the evidence was produced before the court, she found Mr Chilambe and Muone guilty.
She stated that the two were PF senior ward officials who were supposed to report the matter to Mr Chilufya the ward councillor who they alleged had sent them to go and manhandle Apostle Chibeshi over his involvement in the issue of the flooded houses.
Justice Kabelenga advised Mr Chilambe and Mr Muone to change their negative attitude by being good examples to the people they were leading in Luangwa ward, saying abusive language did not pay.
She said if the two had felt aggrieved they would have followed the proper laid down procedures by advising Apostle Chibeshi to unite the people and follow the right channel whenever he intends to participate in community activities.
And Apostle Chibeshi said he was happy that justice had prevailed.
He said his name was now clean in the eyes of his church members, the public and others who had politicised the incident.
