Mpulungu Ward 23 PF Councilor Christopher Shakafuswa yesterday appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court for assaulting a woman, but denied the charge.

And Lusaka Magistrate Thandose Chabala has enhanced Shakafuswa’s bond after noting that he was given bond without sureties.

She ordered the accused to provide two working sureties from reputable organisation bound in the sum of K3,000 each, in own recognisance and remanded him in custody until he met the conditions.

In this matter, Shakufuswa, 37, who is also a farmer, is charged with assault, occasioning actual bodily harm.

It is alleged that on April 20, 2019 in Lusaka, Shakafuswa assaulted Mazili Namwiinga and occasioned her actual bodily harm.

And when the matter came up for plea, Shakafuswa denied the charge.

State Prosecutor Muleya Simusa then applied that the court varies Shakafuswa’s bond conditions because he did not provide sureties when he was granted police bond.

Simusa said the fact that Shakafuswa did not provide sureties would pose as a challenge should the accused decide to flee.

“Before we make an application to adjourn the matter, we have an application to have the bond conditions be varied as there are no sureties and we may have challenges as the State in future,” he said.

But in response, Shakafuswa said he had made efforts to resolve the issue with the complainant outside court.

And when the court guided him that the concern was on him not providing any sureties, Shakafuswa said he had no intentions of fleeing because he was a civic leader and a public servant who resides in Lusaka.

“I’m a civic leader and a public servant, resident in Lusaka. I can not runaway. I will continue to make myself available to this court,” he said.

However, in her ruling, magistrate Chabala enhanced Shakafuswa’s bond.

Magistrate Chabala added that the accused would be remanded in custody until he met the conditions.

She then adjourned the matter to May 21, 2019 for trial.