CHIENGE Member of Parliament Given Katuta has pleaded not guilty to threatening violence against Times of Zambia photographer Henry Chunza.
On July 25 this year, police in Lusaka arrested the lawmaker after Mr Chunza complained that she allegedly spat on him after he took photographs of her as she took a walk of shame from Parliament.
At the time of the incident, Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti had just suspended Ms Katuta from Parliament over gross misconduct.
As she was exiting the House, Mr Chunza was taking photos of the legislator, who was later encest, according to a police report.
Yesterday, Ms Katuta, a reverand, appeared before the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court charged with threatening violence.
Allegations are that on July 21 this year, the lawmaker threatened injury or cause allarm on Mr Chunza by saying while chasing him “Who are you to get photos of me”.
After the charge was readout, Ms Katuta, who wore a chitenge suit and marching chitambala, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The matter was adjourned to October 16 this year for trial.
After the court hearing, Ms Katuta, 54, emerged from the courtroom in the company of her husband, Lawrence Mwelwa.
Dr Mwewa started querying journalists about details of the indictment.
He wondered why reporters had carried stories about “spitting” when nothing of the sort was heard in court.
“Ati a mate, tatuyomfwile amate mu court” Dr Mwewa said.
(Mwebantu, Friday, 8th September 2023)