A SIXTY-five-year-old man of Muweshi Village in Sikongo District caused laughter in a Kalabo magistrate’s court after he made an application that he could not testify because he had not eaten for two days.
The man who only identified himself as Liyumba told magistrate Emmanuel Mukoma that he was feeling sick and unwell due to hunger and he was not in a position to testify before the court despite being one of the key witnesses.
Magistrate Mukoma asked the plaintiff Munungeya Nyambe to buy food for his witness as it was his obligation to do so and not the duty of the court.
The man who spent most of his time dozing in court was then ordered to leave the courtroom so that the plaintiff could buy food for him.
Magistrate Mukoma reminded Liyumba that the court was a serious institution which should never be turned into a bedroom.
It was at this stage that everybody burst into laughter.
Liyumba is one of the witnesses in a case Nyambe of Muweshi Village in Sikongo District jointly sued Josia Siyongiso, Mbande Mutangala, Esmact Muchapa and Joseph Mutangala of the same village for restitution of 30 bags of rice allegedly stolen from his field.
The matter has since been adjourned to November 30, for continued trial and to let Liyumba who could not take the stand due to hunger testify. — ZANIS.
