20 UPND cadres, who were arrested last Wednesday for allegedly conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace, have appeared before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge against them.
The 20, who are charged with idle and disorderly conduct, appeared in two different courts yesterday.
It is alleged that on December 23, 2020, in Lusaka, the accused persons jointly and whilst acting together whilst at a public place, namely along Independence Avenue, conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.
Nine of the 20 appeared before Lusaka Magistrate Felix Kaoma who granted each of the accused persons bail of K500 in their own recognisance, with one traceable surety each.
The other 11 appeared before Magistrate Albert Mwaba, who granted them bail of K10,000 in own recognisance, with one working surety each, living within Lusaka with proof of residency.
The 20 UPND supporters were arrested on the day UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema was being questioned by the police over the purchase of a piece of land in Kalomo District belonging to late Samson Siatembo, which allegedly occurred in 2004.
The police also impounded three buses which were ferrying the said cadres.
Public prosecutor Nsama Nsama and UPND sympathiser Joseph Kaunda were shot dead near Cabinet Office on the said day on December 23, 2020.
Those appearing before Magistrate Kaoma are: Eddy Nawa; Sydney Ngulube; John Wilima; Nelson Banda; Wellington Mwanza, a 17-year-old juvenile; Levy Malowa; John Kashokoto and Nicholas Matongo.
After Magistrate Kaoma read the charge to them, the accused persons said they understood it and pleaded not guilty.
The matter comes up on January 18, 2021, for commencement of trial.
The accused persons are being represented by defence lawyer Mulambo Haimbe.
Meanwhile, those appearing before Magistrate Mwaba are: Auckland Katamanga, 38, a general worker of Kafue; Habinga Mainza, 30, a security guard of John Laing; Marco Siyabukulu, 27, a chef of Ng’ombe Township; Joseph Mbuzi, 38, unemployed of Kalingalinga; Edwin Louis, 32, a businessman of Kaunda Square Stage One and Kamanga Siambilu, 41, a bricklayer of Kalingalinga.
Others are Peter Musoka, 34, a general worker of Kanyama; Briston Simuyendo, 21, a general worker of Mtendere; Charles Musonda, 45, a bus driver of Garden Side area; Ganizani Moonga, 39, a salesman of Chalala and Chrispine Chipango, 46, a bricklayer of Bauleni.
The 11 equally pleaded not guilty to the offence before Magistrate Mwaba.
The matter comes up on January 11, 2021.
