By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –

A POLICE officer from the anti-robbery squad in Lusaka has testified how a business executive allegedly punched him in the face several times resulting in him bleeding profusely after he accused him of having sex with his wife.
Irvin Kapenda of Emmasdale Township told the court when trial opened yesterday that James Kabanda, 38, of Chazanga Township beat him and he ended up at University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for medication.
Kabanda allegedly assaulted Mr Kapenda on October 30 in Lusaka.
Mr Kapenda told magistrate Jane Bwalya that on the material day, he went to Uncle B’s Tavern with a friend only identified as Mwamba in Chazanga Township.
He said that around 22 hours as they were about to leave the place, a door bouncer approached him and asked him to give a lift to a woman whom he did not know.
Mr Kapenda said that the door bouncer informed him that the woman had asked for him to find a taxi for her but since it was late, he could not find any.
He said that he agreed to give the woman a lift because it was his job to offer security and protection to people.
Mr Kapenda said he started with by dropping off Mr Mwamba and proceeded to drop the woman at her destination.
He said that he dropped the woman at her house but as he was trying to drive off, he saw a huge person opening the door of his vehicle and ordered him to come out.
Mr Kapenda said that before he could respond, Kabanda punched him several times in his face.
He said that he struggled with Kabanda for some time and when he realised that he  could be dealing with a criminal, he removed the magazine from the gun he had and threw it under his vehicle to avoid ‘the criminal’ shooting him.
He bled heavily as a result of the injuries inflicted on him by Kabanda.
Kabanda said Mr Kapenda was telling lies about what transpired on the material day. Trial continues.