UPND deputy secretary general Patrick Mucheleka and three others have appeared before the Kasama Magistrates’ Court in a matter they are accused of aggravated robbery, among others.

The matter could, however, not be mentioned as the presiding magistrate was out of jurisdiction.

Mucheleka and others are still in custody as the charge of aggravated robbery is non-bailable and is triable in the High Court.

One of the lawyers representing the accused persons, Mulambo Haimbe, said Mucheleka and his co-accused were in strong spirits.

The accused persons will be committed to the High Court once the committal certificate from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is ready.

The matter comes up again in the Kasama Magistrates’ Court on October 13, 2020 for mention and possible instructions from the DPP.

Party members were also at court to give solidarity to the accused persons.

Police in Northern Province arrested Mucheleka and two others and charged them with aggravated robbery on September 14, 2020.

Confirming the development in an interview, Northern Province Police Commissioner Richard Mweene disclosed that the trio allegedly attacked a mobile NRC registration office, stole a printer and genset, among other items.

“On 13th September, 2020, at 13:00, some UPND cadres attacked and robbed a mobile NRC registration office of one printer, a genset, laminating machine, an adapter, blank NRC cards, processed NRC cards, carbon paper and a camera. In addition, they maliciously damaged three type writers and a kiosk. Thereafter, they fired two gunshots in the air and threatened people with machetes. This occurred at Chitamba village in Kasama. In connection with the matter, we have detained three people, namely, Patrick Mucheleka, aged 55 of Luwingu, Elias Mubanga, aged 53, and Samuel Ngwira, aged 42. We have charged them with offences of aggravated robbery and malicious damage to property and will appear in court soon. Their offences are non-bailable,” said Mweene.