LUSAKA lawyer Martha Mushipe was yesterday briefly detained at the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court holding cells for not appearing in court in a case she is charged for failure to produce National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) records for her employees. In this case, Mushipe, a director of Nyenyezi Christian Academy, is jointly charged with other directors for alleged failure to produce NAPSA documentation for employees.

When the case was presented yesterday for return of a bench warrant, magistrate Nsunge Chanda detained Mushipe. But later in the afternoon, Mushipe appeared before magistrate Chanda and she was reprimanded before being pardoned. However, magistrate Chanda warned Mushipe that the court will not tolerate her escalating habit of absconding court proceedings.

“Why discuss with the PP (public prosecutor) when this matter is in court? I will not even listen to you. So accused person, instead of going round, I will give you a benefit of doubt. Follow the right procedure, otherwise the court will lose confidence [in you],” magistrate Chanda said. She wondered why Mushipe has continued sending different people to represent her without giving proper reasons as to why she is failing to attend court proceedings.

“The summons will be extended. If anything comes up, follow the right channel so that you are not seen to be running away from the court,” said magistrate Chanda. The matter has since been adjourned to June 4 this year for plea.