Zambia - The Lusaka magistrate's court on Monday adjourned for the third time a case in which a Lusaka pastor is alleged to have assaulted a journalist. Bible Society of Zambia (BSZ) general secretary Pastor Everisto Mambwe is charged with assaulting his former translations and media officer Perdita Chenjela on February 9, 2011. The matter adjourned after Chenjela objected to the prosecution omission in the indictment of the use of a gun during the alleged assault. Ms Chejela told the court that it was not true that she was unwell on March 14, 2011 when she was supposed to appear before the court but that she was not served with the court summons. She alleged that even as she stood before the court yesterday, she had not received the summons, nearly a month from the time she was supposed to be served.

Ms Chejela wants the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to allow her amend the assault indictment to include the omitted use of gun in the assault case and reconstitution of the prosecution to include a private lawyer to be paid by BSZ or herself.

Both magistrate Judith Chiyaika and defence lawyer representing Pastor Mambwe, Abraham Mwansa consented to the application.

The matter was first adjourned on February 15, 2011 when Mr Mambwe's police bond surety Yutah Nchoba told the court that Pastor Mambwe, then due for mention had travelled to Nairobi, Kenya for a week.

Ms Chenjela worked for BSZ for nearly 6 years until her redundancy declaration on December 31, 2010 by Pastor Mambwe.

Pastor Mambwe allegedly assaulted Ms Chenjela on February 9, 2011 as she served him with Small Claims Court notice claim for under-payment of the redundancy package.

Times Of Zambia/13/04/2011