By RABECCA CHIPANTA –
A SUSPECT in a matter in which three Patriotic Front (PF) officials are alleged to have assaulted former PF Ndola head of security Nedson Siluonde has suffered a mental illness, the court has been told.
When the matter came up in the Ndola magistrates’ court before magistrate Moffat Phiri, the court was informed that Geoffrey Chulu who is Kabushi Constituency treasurer, suffered a mental illness which forced him to fail to appear on a charge of assault.
This is in a matter in which the three officials are appearing in court for assaulting a Mr Siluonde, commonly known as Mujomba.
Particulars of the offence are that on May 13, 2017 in Ndola, Geoffrey Chulu, 43, Leonard  Ndeleshi, 36, and Mutale Chumbu, 41, whilst acting together assaulted Mr Siluonde.
But when the matter came up for trial, lawyer representing the trio Patrick Kasonde informed the court that Chulu was unwell.
“The accused is not before court because he has suffered depression, physiological disorder and is at Ndola Teaching Hospital psychiatric ward. This is the medical report of discharge from the hospital. We, therefore, ask for an adjournment to a later date so that the accused can recover well and come before court,” Mr Kasonde applied.
The State, however, objected to the application stating that the accused was seen moving about at Ndola Teaching Hospital.
In its objection, the State stated that they had reliable information from a witness that the accused was spotted moving about at Ndola Teaching Hospital on Monday.
“It will be prudent for the court to see the accused person in accordance with Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code and to ascertain the accused person whether he can follow proceedings.
“It is our application that this person be brought before court in whatever state so that this court can be able to see this person. We suggest that the matter be adjourned to this afternoon so that the person is brought to court,” the State submitted.
But Mr Kasonde said it was inappropriate for the State to insinuate that the defence was telling lies in court.
“At my level, I could not be standing before court and tell lie. I take exception to that. When we say someone is sick we are not joking. When we say someone is a mental patient, we are not joking. For someone to allege that I saw him and he is fine, it is a serious fallacy,” he said.
Magistrate Phiri adjourned the matter to July 6, 2017 for commencement of trial.