Mphwiyo Shooting Case: Kasambara Could Not Wait For Ash Wednesday After Bail Reinstatement

Kasambara was greated by friends and
 family as he was coming out from
court rushing to
attend Ash Wednesday 

On Wednesday evening, former Justice Minister, Raphael Kasambara unreservedly supported the State motion to have the case hearing adjourned to Thursday as the time was over so that he goes to Church that evening to join fellow Catholics for Ash Wednesday Mass celebration.

Kasambara who is third accused with case to answer on conspiracy in the ongoing attempted murder trial of former budget director, supported the state to adjourn at 16:30 hours just almost two hours after his bail got reinstalled.

Catholics on Wednesday celebrated
Ash Wednesday 

Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar as it opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer and takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday. Priests administer ashes during Mass as a visible symbol of penance. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year's palm Sunday Mass.

A Catholic faithful, Kasambara said “I would like to join Madame DPP (referring to the Director of Public Prosecution, Mary Kachale) that court adjourn this time because I have to go to church, today it’s Ash Wednesday.”

Kasambara stood to express his support for adjournment just after the State through DPP Mary Kachale who was at that time cross –examining second accused Pika Manondo had reminded court that it was 16:30 hours, time for adjournment.

However, Manondo prayed for an extension of time because he wanted his defense be concluded so that he can start to call his witnesses. Manondo said adjourning at that time would delay the case because more time has been lost already.

Although, Judge Michael Mtambo ruled in favour of State and the third accused person Kasambara, to adjourn hearing for this Thursday morning, Mtambo also concurred with Manondo that time is being wasted and remin;ded the court that there is need for progress.

“But we keep on losing time” he observed and advises all parties by reiterating that there is need for progress so that the case is concluded in good time especially to ensure that the defense of Pika is concluded this week.

The cross-examination of Pika continues this morning starting at 09:00 hours

The bail reinstallement also brought excitement among friends and relations of Kasambara