The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has put a pastor of Interdenominational Jesus Ministries on his defence for allegedly swindling a widow of over K260,000.

John Simfukwe is expected to open his defence on December 14, 2018.

In this matter pastor Simfukwe is charged with theft by agent.

Simfukwe is alleged to have swindled his congregant Chikato between August 16, 2016 and August 17, 2018, out of her K260,000 cash which was entrusted to him to buy a house and for doing business.

When the matter came up for ruling, magsitrate Felix Kaoma said the evidence presented before court linked Simfukwe to the alleged theft.

He said he had carefully assessed the prosecution and defence’s submissions and there was sufficient evidence against the accused.

“From the overview of the evidence, it appears that there is sufficient evidence against the accused [Simfukwe] in the case of theft by servant and I put him on his defence,” he said.

Simfukwe’s lawyer then applied for an adjournment so that he could prepare for the defence.

Magsitrate Kaoma granted the application and set December 14 as date for defence.