BETHEL CHURCH CASE PAUSES

RABECCA BANDA writes A LUSAKA man and woman facing a charge of proposing violence that led to the breaking of Bethel Church of Lusaka, will have to wait a month for trial to continue. Appearing at the Magistrates court before magistrate Ruth Kapulo was Richard Mwanza and Beatrice Sakala accused of proposing violence that led to the breaking and damaging of Bethel church. When the matter come up for trial, the court did not proceed as the witnesses were not available. On March 3, witness Gabriel Banda, 59, pastor and secretary of church and resides in Chazanga said he found a mob at the entrance of the church on January 12. Mr. Banda said he asked the people what was happening and they said there is a lilomba (magic charm) at the church. He said when other members of the church arrived, they reported to the police. Mr. Banda said when they arrived at the church with police officers, the mob started throwing stones at them. He said the mob broke the door, entered and damaged the property at the church. Mr. Banda said 89 plastic chairs, 20 chairs for the school, a chalk board, three tables and a pulpit, 12 linen clothing valued at K120,000 was damaged. Two other witnesses Jimmy Kasenda, 53, a bricklayer of Chipata over spill and Mary Ngoma also of the same area testified. The matter comes up on 9 June for continued trial. The Sun