A-27-year-old woman of Kitwe’s Chamboli Township has told the High Court that she was not aware that her young brother was a member of a notorious gang popularly known as Tokota Boys.

This is a case in which Limbikani Phiri, David Karate, Wisdom Chilekwa, Bill Mulenga, Moses Chilambe, Bornface Lubanse, Wesley Chilambo, Richard Siame, Kingsley Ngona, Abraham Sikazwe, Teddy Chilufya, Bernard Chirwa, Sydney Kasasa, Doctor Simwemba, Miles Mumba, Trust Sinkala and Musonda Semba are all charged with two cases of abducting or kidnaping contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Allegations are that on April 30, 2018 in Kitwe, all 18 accused persons, whilst acting together with intent to maim, injure or disfigure did cause grievous harm to a juvenile. 

And in Count two, the accused persons are charged with unlawful wounding and poisoning contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Allegations are that on April 30, 2018 in Kitwe jointly and whilst acting together with intent to injure or annoy the accused persons caused the same juvenile to eat feaces.

Testifying in Bornface’s defense, Bridget Lubansa said she was not as aware that her young brother had been appearing in music videos of 408 Empire where the Tokota gang was praised.

Lubansa told the court that the day her brother (A8) was arrested by police officers, they had gone to buy baby clothes for his newly born baby.

She told court that on April 30, 2018 A8 had  asked if she may escort him to town to help him with buying clothes of his son, Gift, who was born on April 28, 2018.

She told court that they went to Chisokone market where they bought baby clothes and then proceeded to Shoprite where they bought baby bath soap and washing powder.

She told the court that later, they went into PEP stores where they bought some warm baby clothes and later they proceeded to Chimwemwe Township where the baby’s mother was staying after being discharged from hospital.

She told court that they went into town between 08:00 hours to 09:00 hours and  went Chimwemwe Township around 11:00hours and left around 18:00 hours.

She told the court that there was a birth record to show that Bornface’s child was indeed born on April 28, 2018.

“We went to Chisokone Market and bought some clothes for the baby who was born on the 28th of April 2018 and we went to see the child in Chimwemwe Township. I didn’t know that he is a member of the Tokota and has been appearing in music videos,” she said.

The matter came up for continued defense.