By DELPHINE ZULU –
CHIEF resident magistrate Joshua Banda has allowed the withdrawal of an assault case involving Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) chief executive officer Zindaba Soko and his brother.
Mr Soko, 38, of Libala house number 153/45/M and his brother Samuel Soko, 30, of flat number 18, Sesheke Road in Emmasdale, were jointly charged with assault on Petro Phiri.
The duo allegedly assaulted Mr Phiri on December 13 last year around 17:00 hours at Care for Business Hospital.
When the matter came up for plea yesterday, Mr Phiri informed the court that he was withdrawing the case for both parties to have time to reconcile because they came from the same area.
“If there would be any similar complaints or allegations, I will stay the withdrawal and the case shall be re-opened,” Mr Banda said.
Magistrate Banda withdrew the case because it encouraged the court to promote reconciliation in private matters but threatened to re-open it should the accused persons be found themselves with similar complaints or allegations.
Mr Phiri of 32, Mwembeshi Road, who is an employee of a named funeral parlour, told the court that he had withdrawn the assault case against Mr Soko for purposes of peace.
“I am here to tell the court that I want to withdraw the case so that we can sit down and have time to reconcile with the Soko family,” Mr Phiri said.
Mr Banda asked Mr Phiri if reconciliation had already taken place and he responded in the affirmative, saying the parties were all coming from the same area.