By 
Pheluna Hatembo, central to a high-profile abduction case, faced rigorous questioning on Thursday as she sought to justify her failure to report the alleged abduction, despite being in contact with the Law Association of Zambia and the police.
Hatembo claimed that she and her brother, Milton, were abducted by opposition leader Edith Nawakwi.
In court, Pheluna was pressed on why she did not alert authorities during the alleged abduction.
She explained that they were threatened with death if they spoke out and felt unsafe reporting the incident to the police, whom she perceived as biased.
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Defense attorneys highlighted inconsistencies in her story, pointing to her interactions with lawyers and public appearances where she did not mention the abduction.
Hatembo maintained that fear and threats dictated her silence.
Defense lawyer Chali questioned her on why she did not seek help from the Law Association of Zambia, a group of lawyers.
Hatembo responded that they were told they would be killed if they spoke to anyone.
When asked why she did not inform her daughter, a teacher, Hatembo replied that she did not live with her.
The defense requested to introduce videos and conduct site visits to Zamcom Lodge and Fatmos, locations allegedly linked to the abduction.
Lusaka Magistrate, Army Masoja, permitted the video evidence and site visits but denied a visit to a farm in Kalomo, citing insufficient reasons.
Edith Nawakwi, president of the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), pleaded not guilty to charges of threatening violence and abduction.
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