THE arresting officer in a case in which The Post news editor Chansa Kabwela is charged with circulating obscene material yesterday told a Lusaka magistrate court that she felt hurt after seeing the pictures of a woman in childbirth sent out by the accused person.

And Chief Resident Magistrate, Charles Kafunda has warned the defence to desist from making submissions that might create an impression that State prosecutors were given more prominence in the proceedings.

Sharon Zulu, 40, a senior superintendent and Lusaka Division deputy criminal investigations officer of plot number 1285 Avondale Extension, said she felt hurt because the photographs were disturbing.

This is in a case in which Kabwela pleaded not guilty to one count of circulating obscene material contrary to Section 177 1(b) Cap 87 of the Penal Code.

It is alleged that between June 1 and 10, 2009, Kabwela circulated two obscene photographs tending to corrupt morals of the public contrary to Section 177 of the Penal Code.

"When I interviewed the secretary to the Health Minister, she told me she was shocked after seeing the pictures. I requested for the pictures and immediately when I saw the first two photographs where a woman is captured giving birth, I felt assaulted and hurt," Mrs Zulu said.

She said in examination-in-chief that the two pictures were disturbing because women were not supposed to be exposed to the public in such a manner.

Mrs Zulu said as a woman, she felt naked because her pride was taken away by exposing another woman's private parts especially during childbirth.

She said from the Ministry of Health, she went to the Cabinet Office where she met and interviewed Nawina Hagwagwa, a secretary to Secretary to the Cabinet, Joshua Kanganja who told her that she failed to believe that such pictures could be sent to a person of Dr Kanganja's age.

Mrs Zulu said she later went to the office of the vice-president and was met by Vice-President George Kunda's senior private secretary, Kenneth Ngosa, who confirmed receiving the letter and pictures from The Post but had difficulties submitting them to Mr Kunda.

She said Mr Ngosa failed to submit the photographs to Mr Kunda because he could not find a way of presenting something that was forbidden to appear to the public.

Mrs Zulu said in the Zambian culture, it was not allowed to expose a woman giving birth like the way it was in this instance because the practice was supposed to be kept private.

Another witness Philby Kaoma, 48, a forensic questions documents examiner with the Zambia Police Service, said in examination-in-chief that the writings on letters and envelopes sent to Dr Kanganja were genuinely written and signed by Kabwela.

And Lewis Mbewe, 44, an archivist at Barclays Bank Zambia, said in examination-in-chief that he gave the police documents containing Kabwela's account details because there was a warrant from the police and he was instructed to comply with it by his superiors.

Mr Mbewe said in cross-examination that he did not know why the police wanted Kabwela's documents from the bank but there was a warrant and instructions from the compliance officer, Teddy Muntanga that he should comply with the police.

Earlier, Mr Kafunda said it was unfortunate that the defence team felt unprotected and that the objections from the State were irregular when the court had not stated so.

Mr Kafunda said this in his ruling when State prosecutor, Frank Mumbuna objected to Remmy Mainza's questioning when the witness had given his answer but another defence lawyer, George Chisanga said in response that the objections were irregular and the court should give the same protection like it gave the State.

"Let us concentrate on the main issues because there are certain issues that will need to be approved and disapproved. To argue that the objections are unnecessary and the defence is protected is peripheral," Mr Kafunda said.

Meanwhile, police yesterday arrested about eight suspected cadres from unknown political parties who attempted to put a banner at the magistrates' court complex building.

The cadres were said to have gone to the court to give solidarity to Kabwela and in the process tried to put a banner but quick action from the police thwarted the cadres' actions.