A senior public prosecutor accused of insulting a female attorney will spend Independence Day in jail after the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court revoked his bail yesterday. Chipo Gura, an officer at the National Prosecution Authority, has sued Richard Nyeleti for allegedly insulting her. Nyeleti, 49, who also works at the National Prosecution Authority, is charged with using insulting language.

On September 17 this year, Nyeleti allegedly used insulting language against Ms Gura by referring to her as a prostitute and uttered other unprintables. The alleged insults had potential to provoke Ms Gura or cause her to break public peace or commit an offence against Nyeleti. When the matter came up for cross-examination, Ms Gura told magistrate Thandose Chabala that Nyeleti has allegedly continued insulting her.

“Even last week he insulted me during a phone conversation in which he called himself as Mr Chileshe,” Ms Gura said. The court heard that Ms Gura recorded the phone conversation in which Nyeleti allegedly made derogatory remarks against her. “It is the same category of insults. I can produce the recording right now,” Ms Gura said.

Senior State advocate Frank Sikazwe also said that Nyeleti allegedly made derogatory remarks against Ms Gura.
He said Nyeleti’s behaviour was against bail conditions. Mr Sikazwe also applied for a protection order to ensure the safety of Ms Gura because she feels threatened by Nyeleti.

In her ruling, magistrate Chabala said it is clear that Nyeleti was not adhering to bail conditions as evidenced by the details of the recording. “The accused is heard asking the woman [Ms Gura] for reconciliation but after she refused, he started using insulting language against her,” she said.
Magistrate Chabala revoked Nyeleti’s bail on grounds that he was clearly not adhering to the court’s directive for him not to interfere with witnesses.
“It is clear that you’re disregarding bail conditions.

I revoke your bail,” she said. Magistrate Chabala set November 6 as the date for continued trial.