Congregant thumps Priest

By KETRA KALUNGAA RAMPAGING member stunned fellow congregants at Anglican Church in Lusaka when he darted towards the pulpit and unleashed a volley of punches on the unsuspecting priest.In the ensuing confusion, the lone assailant, fled the scene, leaving the man of God bleeding as the service was disrupted.The enraged congregant only identified as Mwale punched the priest on the mouth during what started as a peaceful and solemn Sunday service.Police spokesperson, Esther Katongo, said in a statement that the priest whose names have been withhold was assaulted yesterday around 10:30 hours.Ms Katonga explained that the man stepped up the pulpit from the audience and ordered priest to stop preaching.She said when the Priest resisted, he begun dragging him and punched him on the face with fists and in the process sustained swollen lips.“Police in Lusaka are looking for a male adult only identified as Mwale of Kalingalinga Anglican church alleged to have assaulted an Anglican Church Priest whose names we have withheld,” she said.Ms Katongo said initial investigations have revealed that the alleged assailant was among a group of church members fighting the Priest over the church car park space.She explained that the Priest had been calling for church elections and this had angered some church members.Police who went to the scene found the church locked while members had dispersed.Ms Katongo said a medical report form has been issued and a search for the suspect has been launched as investigations continue.