The Magistrate court in Nakonde district of Muchinga Province has convicted and fined a local clergyman K2 million cash or 18 months imprisonment in default on charges of being found in possession of obscene materials.
This is in case which Pastor Charles Nsemu,40, of Katozi compound in Chieftainess Waitwika’s area is facing one count of being found in possession of DVDs suspected to have pornographic contents that are likely to corrupt people’s morals contrary to section 177(1) (A) chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Pastor Nsemu was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) officers on August 12 at his home with the said Obscene materials following a tip from members of the public.
He allegedly gathered members of his church at his house where he was showing them the DVDs with pornographic contents.
Pastor Nsemu had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared for plea on August 13 and the matter was adjourned to November 5 for the commencement of trial.
But on Tuesday, Pastor Nsemu applied to take a fresh plea and pleaded guilty before trial magistrate John Kajiko Njapau after the Public Prosecutor Oscar Phiri, presented a letter of consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Lusaka allowing the court to proceed with the matter.
Magistrate Njapau adjourned the matter to November 6 for written facts and sentencing.
Passing judgment, Magistrate Njapau said the court had found Pastor Nsemu guilty as charged upon his own admission of guilt and convicted him accordingly.
He said he had taken into consideration the mitigation of the convict but that having watched the DVDs in question, the court was convinced that the materials were likely to corrupt people’s morals.
Magistrate Njapau fined Pastor Nsemu K2 million cash to be paid before 17:00 hours yesterday or 18 months simple imprisonment in default.
In mitigation, Pastor Nsemu said he did not know that the materials he had in his possession were prohibited in the country adding that he was using the same to educate couples in his church.
Pastor Nsemu was later after court session spotted making arrangements to pay the fine so as to avoid the custodial sentence.
ZANIS
bashi mapepo……………..not that I am any better……..
its okey if they can fine iris what more the paster..
OR GIVE HIM TO DO COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR ONE MONTH.
Thin line between education and entertainment/indulgence/sin/crime
This year it seems these courts will have a merry xmas, at the rate they are fund raising eish?!!
awe mwandi, elo lwanya lwati na paaaaa.. Kangalila elebomfya methodology iyo iyakufundilamo…awe ni prof pastor
Its from theory to practical, the pastor over did everythng. So this guy was even showing members of the church how to do it???? Doing it the American way??? No ways ba Pastor naimwe dont tell me Adam was shown a DVD on how to do it!!!!
But that 2Million was taken where, the judge probably chewed that cash….
2million is too little for a pastor who collects tith every sunday
It’s not every pastor who Collects Church money
Chizungu, bonse baleba, they are all thieves, did you ever hear a pastor giving or helping those poor pipo? imagine umutu going to church with no shoes umusalu day in day out, but when he gets paid, shares half his wages with the pastor, ninshi inkongole fulu, abana ifisamu fulu fulu, ati men of Gody…..? to hell no remorse for the poor.
Sorry, but I’m sure it must be those instructional videos which even SDA watchtower and some pentecostal use in couples meetings and marriage seminars in civilised countries. They teach the true meaning of sex as intended by God. Sex is not sin. Adultery and fornication are.
iwe do not include watchtower mufyabupuba
bad situation