THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has committed two police officers, a farmer and nine businessmen to the High Court for trial in a case in which they are charged with aggravated robbery involving K1.5 million.
In this matter, the accused are; Francis Kayando and Newton Hamukamba, both police officers of Matero Police station in Lusaka.
Others are; James Mutenga, Martin Mulako, Derrick Chansa, Soft Bubala, Mike Zulu, Frank Mukuwa Dukes a farmer, Enock Moono, Gerald Sinkamba, Samuel Tembo and Differt Sichone, all business executives.
The accused are facing five counts of aggravated robbery.
In count one, it is alleged that Mutenga, Mulako, Kayando, Hamukamba, Chansa, Bubala, Mukuwa, Zulu and Moono on October, 31 2021 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown and whilst armed with a firearm namely; AK47, did steal 1 pallet gun valued at K1,000, a safe and $1,720 cash, the property of Tractor Zam Limited.
It is alleged that at or immediately before or immediately after the time of such stealing, the accused threatened to use actual violence to Tito Mandela in order to obtain, prevent or overcome resistance to the said property being stolen.
In the second count, it is alleged that on the same date, the accused jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown and whilst armed with an AK47, stole an Infinix phone valued at K3,700, property of Mandela.
In the third count, Kayando, Mulako and Mukuwa are alleged to have on November 2, 2021 whilst armed with a firearm, stolen K60,000 cash, USD200 cash, a Samsung cell phone valued at K1,750 and other assorted items together valued at K114,790, the property of Turgay Safak.
It is alleged that at or immediately before or immediately after the time of such stealing, the accused threatened to use actual violence on Ernest Nsenyani in order to obtain, prevent or overcome resistance to the said property being stolen.
In the fourth count, it is alleged that the accused on November 8, 2021, jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown and whilst armed with an unknown firearm, stole K40, 000 cash, USD300 cash and K50 (Malawian kwacha), one short gun, khan arms, 12 calibre valued at K15,000 and 2 Samsung A10 cell phones valued at K9,000, altogether valued at K64,000, property of Alleres Deka.
In the last count, Matenga, Mulako, Kayando, Mukuwa, Hamukamba, Chansa and Bubala are alleged to have on November 12, 2021, jointly and whilst acting together, while armed with an AK47 stolen K1,058,400 cash from Jennifer Phiri.
When the matter came up before Chief Resident Magistrate Dominic Makalicha yesterday, he explained the charges to the 12 accused persons and informed them that the offences they were facing were only tried by the High Court.
He, therefore, committed them to the High Court for trial as consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions was ready.
