The First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Chiradzulu district has acquitted four former pastors of the Providence Industrial Mission (PIM) church who were accused of trying to cause trouble in a place contrary to section 87(1) of the Penal Code.
It was known that on May 5 in the year 2023, these four who are Austen Khungwa, Stepheno Chaononga, Stanly Supuni and Feston Makuwira, were going to the headquarters of the PIM church together with 40 other people to hold a funeral. Their purpose was to pray to God to end the conflicts in the congregation.
As soon as they arrived at the entrance, they were greeted with stones and beaten by some members of the congregation. This resulted in two shepherds being injured.
The story reached the police and the four pastors were arrested and tried for the crime of trying to cause confusion, especially because they wanted to injure or kill the leader of the PIM church.
Because they had no legal representation, the four sought the help of the Legal Aid Bureau. After being admitted, they were represented in their case by Principal Legal Aid Advocate Leah Masowa.
The government side in the court brought four witnesses to prove that the man had committed the crime, and the accused brought five witnesses including themselves.
After hearing the testimony of all sides, the court found that there was no evidence to confirm that the suspects were carrying any weapons and that the PIM leader who allegedly wanted to injure him, was not there. He was in Mulanje. So it was difficult to explain how someone was injured when he was not there.
After carefully examining the evidence, the court concluded that the government failed to provide any evidence beyond doubt to arrest the four. The court has therefore decided that the four arrested pastors should be released.
