PF supporter Innocent Kalimanshi and two others have appeared before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court and denied assault charges against them.

Kalimanshi and the others were arrested in connection with a fracas that allegedly happened in Chawama constituency on October 27, this year, between two groups of Patriotic Front youths.

Kalimanshi, aged 34, Nathan Phiri, 43, and Capson Mwanza, 46, all businessmen, are now charged with three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

In count one, it is alleged that on October 26, this year, the three assaulted Isaac Banda and occasioned him actual bodily harm.

In count two, Kalimanshi, Phiri and Mwanza are alleged to have on the same date assaulted Muhammed Mutale and occasioned him actual bodily harm.

In the last count, it is alleged that on the same date, the three assaulted Kingsley Nyondo and occasioned him actual bodily harm.

Kalimanshi, Phiri and Mwanza appeared before Lusaka Magistrate Nthandose Chabala yesterday where they took pleas of not guilty.

After Magistrate Chabala recorded pleas of not guilty, defence lawyer Agrippa Malando applied for bail, pending trial, saying the offence the three were charged with was bailable.

He added that the accused persons were all of fixed abode and would adhere to the conditions the Court may set.

In response, State prosecutor Sipholiano Phiri said the State had no objection to the application for bail.

He, however, asked the Court to put in place stringent measures, which make the accused persons to appear before court whenever they were required.

In her ruling, Magistrate Chabala granted the accused persons bail in the sum of K10,000 cash each.

She further ordered them to provide two sureties each from reputable institutions, who would be bound in the like sum.