WINDHOEK – A reporter of the Villager newspaper and blogger, Chris-Paul, made another routine appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Ingrid Unengu on Tuesday this week on a charge of common assault.
The charge stems from an alleged post Chris-Paul made on his Facebook page promising anyone N$15 000 to bring 99FM’s Che Ulenga’s head to him in a brown paper bag. Ulenga the self-titled ‘Goddess of Radio’ did not take kindly to the threat and hastily laid charges against the often controversial reporter. New Era carried an article late last year in which the editor of Villager Confidence Musariri circulated an email announcing the suspension of Chris-Paul for allegedly assaulting a female colleague.
Chris-Paul already indicated to the court during his first appearance that he will plead not guilty to the charge and has appointed Milton Engelbrecht as his legal representative. Tuesday’s hearing was supposed to be for pleading and trial, but State Prosecutor George Mhoney informed the court that disclosure has not been made to Engelbrecht yet and requested a remand to April 09 next year. Unengu granted the request and made it a final remand for plea and trial. Ulenga and her witnesses, Nesindano Namises and Cornelius du Plessis, were also cautioned to be present at the next scheduled hearing. Chris-Paul is out on bail of N$800 on condition that he may not have any contact, either directly or indirectly with Ulenga.
By Roland Routh