Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president, Edith Nawakwi, remains absent from court as reports indicate she is still unwell.
Nawakwi was expected to appear on Monday for the continuation of a trial in a case where she stands accused of abducting and threatening to kill Pheluna and Milton Hatembo.
The prosecution alleges that she warned them she would chop off their heads if they disclosed details of their discussions with her.
Last month, during a court session before Resident Magistrate Amy Masoja, Nawakwi’s lawyer, Tresford Chali, informed the court that she had been admitted to the University Teaching Hospitals.
The matter was then adjourned to February 17. However, when the case reconvened, Nawakwi was still unable to attend due to illness.
As a result, Magistrate Masoja has now postponed the proceedings to March 17, 2025.
The 63-year-old politician is facing four counts of threatening violence, contrary to Section 90(a) of the Penal Code, Chapter 87, as well as charges of kidnapping or abduction with intent to confine, under Section 256 of the Penal Code.
According to allegations, between August 31, 2021, and September 1, 2022, Nawakwi—acting with unknown accomplices—intimidated the Hatembos by stating, “I will kill you by chopping off your head if you tell anyone whatever I discuss.”
During the same period, she is accused of forcibly abducting the Hatembos from Choma to Lusaka, unlawfully confining them against their will.
