Lusaka businessman Nshinka Kaputo has pleaded not guilty to murdering his girlfriend Precious Mangesana in the Lusaka High Court.

And another businessman Peter Siwale, who allegedly shot dead his wife and her lover last year, has equally pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder.

Meanwhile, UPND member Fred Hamamba has pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery in relation to theft of 2016 election materials.

Speaking at the official opening of the criminal session held at Supreme Court yesterday, Senior Superintendent officer in charge for Lusaka Central Correctional Facility Kennedy Nyambe Sikota disclosed that as of yesterday the prison population for Lusaka province stood at 3,067.

“The prison population as at today (yesterday), for Lusaka province is standing at 3,067. The breakdown is as follows; Lusaka Central Correctional Facility has the population of 1,378, Lusaka Remand Correctional Facility 551, Mwembeshi Farm Correctional Centre has 329, Mwembeshi Maximum Correctional Facility has 581, Chainama East Correctional Facility has 91, whereas Lusaka Central Female Correctional Facility has a population of 137. Giving us a grand total of 3,067,” said Sikota.

And Lady Justice C.L Phiri adjourned Kaputo’s case to April 11, 2018, for commencement of trail.

He is charged with two counts of murder and acts intended to cause grievous harm.

Kaputo, 34, is alleged to have shot dead Mangesana, a MultiChoice employee, on October 5 last year.

He is also charged with the offence of engaging in acts intended to cause grievous harm, contrary to Section 225 (a) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Kaputo also pleaded not guilty to this charge.

It is alleged that on October 5 last year, Kaputo shot his daughter, Naila Kaputo, an act intended to cause grievous harm.

And Justice Phiri set April 13 as a day for commencement of trial in the case in which Siwale allegedly shot dead his wife and her lover last year.

Siwale is charged with two counts of murder.

In count one, its alleged that Siwale, 33 of Meanwood area Lusaka, murdred Charity Namukoko on July 27.

And in count two, it is alleged that Siwale on the same day, murdered Andrew Chibeka.

Siwale however, denied both charges.

Meanwhile, Justice Phiri set April 16 for commence of trial in the case in which a UPND member, Fred Hamamba is charged with two counts of aggravated robbery.

It is alleged that on August 14, 2016 in Lusaka, whilst acting together with other persons unknown, Hamamba did steal from Elina Nyirenda a handbag valued at K400.00, K350.00 cash and an envelope containing GEN form 12 altogether valued at K750.00. Immediately before or after the time of such stealing did use or threatened to use actual violence to the said Elina in order to obtain or retain the said property or prevent or overcome resistance to its being stolen.

In count two, it is alleged that Hamamba on August 14, 2016 in Lusaka whilst acting with other persons unknown did steal from Emmanuel Simbeye, a Blackberry cellphone valued at K4,000 and threatened to use violence to the said victim in order to obtain the said property or prevent resistance to it being stolen.

Hamamba pleaded not guilty to both charges.