A suspected PF cadre who is alleged to have assaulted a journalist from Chipata’s Breeze FM and got away with K400, has pleaded not guilty to both charges in the Lundazi Magistrates’ Court.

In this matter, Frank Mwale, a 41-year-old businessman of Jere Compound in Chipata district, is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and theft.

It is alleged in the first count that on February 12, 2019, Mwale jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, assaulted Grace Lungu, a journalist from Chipata’s Breeze FM, thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.

And in second count, Mwale jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, stole money amounting to K400 cash, property of Lungu.

And when the matter came up before Resident Magistrate Edward Chisanga for plea, Mwale denied both charges.

But before magistrate Chisanga could grant Mwale bail, he noted that the accused had a record of failing to attend court sessions on two occasions, a thing he said, left the court in doubts.

He however said bail would be granted upon Mwale producing three working sureties based in Lundazi and ordered that he remains in custody in the meantime.

The matter comes up on June 18, this year, for commencement of trial.

Lungu who is a producer and reporter for Breeze FM in Chipata, was attacked when she was in Lundazi to cover the Mkomba Ward by-elections in February this year.