Hakainde Hichilema’s lawyers have insisted that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) should not take over his contempt case against Religious Affairs Minister Reverend Godfridah Sumaili.

HH wants the court to cite Rev Sumaili for contempt because of her remarks that “Hichilema pushed [President Edgar] Lungu to the wall by not accepting his presidency”.

When the matter came up before magistrate Ireen Wishimanga today, there was consent to adjourn it but Deputy Chief State advocate Miriam Bah Matandala rose to reaffirm the DPP’s position to take over the case arguing that there was no law which allowed the defense to oppose to the takeover.

“By virtue of the notice of takeover filed in court we are part of the case we are reaffirming position of the takeover let all parties clearly know about it in that regard we are part of these proceedings,” said Matandala

But one of Hichilema’s lawyers, Jack Mwimbu, objected to Matandala’s submission saying his colleague Keith Mweemba was still on the floor stating reasons why the takeover should be rejected.

Magistrate Wishimanga then adjourned the case to July 12, 2017 by consent of all the parties involved as other lawyers who were part of this case were at the Constitutional Court.

Meanwhile, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia executive director Pukuta Mwanza was among the people who turned up to show solidarity to Rev Sumaili today.

When Rev Simaili entered courtroom, Rev Mwanza stood up to greet her as she smiled in amusement.

And several prison warders were in court to shield Hichilema from interacting with his supporters.