NORTHERN Province Police Commissioner Richard Mweene says detained UPND deputy secretary general Patrick Mucheleka’s court appearance date is currently unknown as they are still finalising paperwork on his aggravated robbery charge.

Mweene, however, says the five UPND cadres who were arrested for assaulting two suspected PF cadres were expected to appear in court on September 16.

In an interview, Mweene said Mucheleka would appear in court as soon it was practically possible.

“The Mucheleka case, we are processing the case, the State Advocate is in Lusaka; we have to send the docket electronically to Lusaka. After the perusal, they should appear in court as soon as it is practically possible. The process depends upon once everything is in place. Once everything is done, when the courts are ready, and the court is sitting, then it is done. There is no hard and fast rule on that one,” Mweene said.

Mweene, however, disclosed that the UPND cadres that attacked their PF counterparts were expected to be in court yesterday.

He stressed that the atmosphere in Northern Province was peaceful in readiness for the crucial Lukashya by-election today.

“Yes, we did arrest five of them yesterday, we detained them and they are likely to appear today (Wednesday) in court. The offence is assault occasioning bodily harm. They are alleging that they just attacked two, those are two grade 12 pupils. It was alleged that they were tearing their campaign materials that is when they descended on them on that allegation. The atmosphere is just okay, we are on the ground and we shall not tolerate any lawlessness. Currently, people are going around their normal businesses. So, it will be okay, no calls for any worry whatsoever,” said Mweene.

On Monday, police in Northern Province nabbed Mucheleka and two others and charged them with aggravated robbery.

“On September 13, 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,” Mweene had stated.