MIRACLE Impact Ministries International

By CHIKUMBI KATEBE

MIRACLE Impact Ministries International Bishop John Nundwe has maintained that he was forced at gunpoint to remove his clothes when he visited a couple’s home in Lusaka’s Jamaica area to pray and collect gifts they had offered him.

In his continued defence before Lusaka Magistrate Amy Masoja, Bishop Nundwe alias John General said he could not clearly identify the gun, but that there was a man who came into the passage area where he was praying with the victim, who pointed a gun at him which situation made him confused.

He explained that the incident happened around 11-12 hours and there was enough lighting in the area for him to identify a man pointing a gun at him, as he was ordered to undress, that he did not know that the man in question was the husband to the victim.

He said he was standing a few meters from where the man with the gun was standing and could see clearly that he held a gun at him, although he could not identify its make but that it was a small hand gun.

Asked how he knew that it was a gun, Bishop John General said he had seen a lot of guns on television, which allowed him to identify it, and that he could not tell if it was fake or real.

He explained that amid all that confusion, he saw that the victim had started laughing at him as he was ordered to take off his clothes.

And in response to the State’s questions on why he failed to ask about the gun when the victim and her husband testified, he held that “I am telling the court the truth and what happened to me, it’s not an afterthought.”

The State held that the issue of the gun was never brought out in court because there was no gun involved, and that it was an afterthought by the accused.

They held that even the arresting officer did not mention the gun in his witness statement.

Magistrate Masoja adjourned the matter to July 10 for continued defence with the introduction of a new witness.

Bus operators praise Govt on 24-hour economy

BUS operators at Chikumanino Bus Station in Kasama have commended the government for the implementation of the 24-hour economy.

Speaking in an interview, Likili Motorways Bus Inspector Jonathan Nsama said the policy has enabled the company to increase its operations while ensuring the safety of passengers.

Mr Nsama explained that each bus is assigned two drivers to alternate during long-distance journeys to reduce fatigue and enhance road safety.

He added that the 24-hour economy has boosted the company’s business, adding that the company also deploys different buses on various routes as part of its efforts to improve service delivery.

Mr Nsama disclosed that the company conducts counselling and safety briefings for drivers before they depart to different destinations to ensure they remain alert and responsible while on duty.

He has, however, appealed to the government to expedite rehabilitation of the Mpika-Kasama road, saying its poor state affects the smooth movement of buses and passengers.

And Chola Chisanga, a businessman operating at Chikumanino Bus Station, said the 24-hour economy has reduced travel time, enabling passengers to reach their destinations much faster.

Mr Chisanga explained that journeys which previously took between 15 and 16 hours are now completed in about 12 hours due to improved flexibility in travel schedules which help avoid traffic.

Meanwhile, another bus operator at the station Justine Mutale has thanked the government for introducing the 24-hour economy.

Mr Mutale said allowing buses to operate throughout the day and night has helped reduce unnecessary competition among bus operators, which in the past contributed to road accidents.

He noted that bus operators are now able to depart at different times without rushing to compete with one another, thereby promoting safer travel for both drivers and passengers. – ZANIS.