By ANDREW PHIRI –

THREE people, including a cook, have appeared in a Livingstone magistrates’ court for threatening and demanding K20,000 from Livingstone Catholic Diocese Bishop Raymond Mpezele.
The trio has been charged with an offence of demanding property by written threats.
David Chiyaba, aged 26, Grace Maseka, 52, a cook for the Bishop and Bertha Lungu, 20, appeared before Livingstone magistrate Benjamin Mwelwa.
The trio on unknown dates in September this year with intent to extort or gain money from Bishop Mpezele, and knowing the contents of writings, did cause the bishop to receive writings demanding K20,000 without reasonable or probable cause, and containing threats of injury or detriment to kill if the demand was not complied with.
Magistrate Mwelwa told the accused persons that they were merely appearing in his court while awaiting instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), as the case could only be tried in the High Court.
The matter was adjourned to September 29 this year for mention.
Magistrate Mwelwa also revoked police bonds for Maseka and Lungu as their bond requirements given to the police were inadequate looking at the gravity of the offence.
Magistrate Mwelwa, however, granted the trio bail of K5,000 each in their own recognisance with each having two working sureties.
“For accused two and three, I hereby give you bail on fresh conditions of K5,000 in your own recognition with two working sureties each. Until you meet these conditions, you shall be remanded in custody,” magistrate Mwelwa said.