UPND vice-president Geoffrey Mwamba and 19 party supporters yesterday appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to unlawful drilling.
And UPND president Hakainde Hichilema says Zambians will not need a re-run in the August 11 elections because President Edgar Lungu will be defeated in the first round.
Mwamba arrived at the Magistrates’ Court Complex at around 08:30 hours accompanied by wife Chama, Hichilema, UPND vice-president for politics Dr Cannisius Banda and other senior party officials amidst tight armed police security.
Mwamba was immediately ushered into courtroom number three but was later directed to go into courtroom number two before he was finally led to courtroom number five to take plea before principal resident magistrate Mwaka Mikalile.
Before Mwamba could take plea, he took time together with Hichilema, Dr Banda and other party leaders to greet and talk to the UPND supporters who are accused of being unlawfully drilled militarily by Mwamba.
When the matter was called, the state made an application for Mwamba to be jointly charged together with the 19 UPND supporters before he could take plea.
Mwamba’s lawyers Jack Mwiimbu, Maureen Mwanawasa, Martha Mushipe, Keith Mweemba, Gilbert Phiri and Ndala Makai did not object to the state’s application.
Mwamba became the first accused in the matter and walked to the dock to join the 19 other accused. Magistrate Mikalile read the charges and explained that after the state’s application of jointly charging Mwamba with the 19 others, the UPND vice-president was, however, charged separately in the first count of unlawful drilling contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
He said he understood the charge but denied having committed the offence.
Allegations in the first count are that Mwamba on unknown dates but between February 13 and 17, 2016 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, without the permission from the President, trained and drilled Sam Tembo and 18 others to the use of arms or the practice of military exercises, movement or evolutions.
Count two alleged that the 19 supporters on February 27 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, assembled without the permission of the President to be trained or drilled, to the use of arms or the practice of military exercises, movement or evolutions.
Magistrate Mikalile adjourned the matter to March 24 for mention for the 13 supporters who did not meet the bail conditions.
She said all the accused would appear for another mention on April 11, apart from Mwamba who will be represented by his lawyers because he will be appearing in another court for a different matter. Trial is expected to commence on May 3.
And Hichilema thanked the UPND supporters who went to show solidarity to Mwamba and 19 of their colleagues outside the Magistrates’ Complex.
He said Zambians only had a few months before they kicked President Lungu and the PF out of power on August 11.
“Come August 11, we do not want a re-run, we are wiping Edgar Lungu in the first round. I just want to thank all of you for providing support to the 19 of our colleagues who were arrested together with Mr Mwamba that Wednesday, that is how the family works,” said Hichilema amidst shouts of the party’s ‘Zambia forward’ slogan. “My message to the police is that we know you are working under instructions but in the next five months, we shall not waste money by prosecuting innocent Zambians.
The Post
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