Nurse fails to show up in Kambwili case
By Esther Chisola
THE Lusaka Central Correctional Facility nurse who was supposed to appear before Lusaka magistrate Kawama Mwamfuli to explain the health of jailed Patriotic Front (PF) member Chishimba Kambwili was not in court Tuesday.
And Kambwili who is serving an eight-month jail sentence yesterday also failed to appear before the court because of illness.
Kamwbili is facing a count of unlawful assembly, a charge he has denied.
It is alleged that Kambwili on January 26, 2023, in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown, unlawfully assembled with intent to commit an offence or breach of peace.
When the case was called for explanation of Kabwili’s health by his niece, State prosecutor Sam Zulu informed Mwamfuli that the nurse was not in court.
“Your Honour, the both the accused and the nurse who was supposed to explain to the court the health status of the accused is not here. We therefore apply for an adjournment in the matter,” Zulu said .
Mwamfuli gave the nurse a benefit of doubt and adjourned the matter.
“I will give the nurse a benefit of the doubt and hoping by then, the accused will be much better and brought to court. I therefore adjourn the matter,” the magistrate said.
The case comes up on September 9.
On Monday, Kambwili’ lawyer Kennedy Mambwe presented a certificate of fitness to Lusaka magistrate Kawama Mwamfuli showing that his client was not well.
Mambwe assured the court that Kambwili’s nurse was ready to appear before her and explain the health of the accused.
Kambwili is already serving a custodial sentence at Milima Correctional Facility in Kasama, Northern Province after a magistrates court found him guilty of hate speech against the Tonga tribe of Southern Province.
He uttered the offensive words during campaigns for the 2021 general elections.
