Court Reporter
A CHITUNGWIZA magistrate yesterday temporarily suspended gospel musician Amos Mahendere’s community service pending his appeal at the High Court. Mahendere was ordered to perform 210 hours

of community service after being convicted of pointing a firearm at Ignatius Nyika, a commuter omnibus bus driver.

Magistrate Ms Rumbidzai Mugwagwa said if Mahendere continued performing community service, his appeal would be for academic purposes.
Mahendere’s defence council, Mr Nickel Mushangwe of Mushangwe and Associates, had said it would be unjust for him to continue serving the sentence.

If his appeal fails, he will continue with the community service.
In his application at the  High Court, Mahendere said the lower court was misled by inconsistencies in the evidence given by Nyika.

He said the courts have  the discretion to impose a sentence, especially associated with offences of Mahendere’s nature.
Mr Mutupe said Mahendere’s application was made without se-riousness and should be dismissed.