By: Trifonia Chigona
The Lilongwe Magistrate court on Wednesday adjourned the case involving 19 Catholics accused of disturbing a religious service at Likuni Parish on April 3, 2016, to May 12, 2016.
Presiding over the matter, Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate Shyreen Yona, adjourned the case after police prosecutor asked the court to pave a way for the state to parade the remaining four witnesses.
Assistant Superintendent Dave Kusamale, asked the court to adjourn the case after he paraded two witnesses saying the remaining four could not make due to other commitments.
The court was full to capacity by Catholic faithful from Likuni Parish and the surrounding areas while others followed the proceedings from the veranda of the courtroom today.
Making her ruling, the presiding magistrate has since condemned the congregant for attending the court in church uniform.
Police arrested 19 people on April 3, 2016, on suspicions that they took part in the fight which erupted during a Sunday mass service at Likuni Parish following disagreements between some church members and the leadership.
The suspects which include two women and 17 men are currently on bail and have since been stopped from attending any church activities until the matter is resolved.
The accused are being represented by Lawyer Clemence Chamwenda of Legal Aid.
According to Kusamale disturbing religious service is a criminal offence contrary to section 128 of the penal code and carries a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment.
oooh, pot ndi amenewo, akanakhala ena aja bwez zili mkamwa mkawa.