The state has entered a nolle prosequi in a case in which UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and his vice Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba were individually charged with seditious practices and jointly charged with unlawful assembly.

When the case came up for continued trial in Luanshya today, one of the state prosecutors announced that the Director of Public Prosecutions had decided to discontinue the case by way of a nolle prosequi.

Ndola principal resident magistrate John Mbuzi, who was sitting in Luanshya then told the accused persons that they were free and the three charges had been discontinued.

In count one, Hichilema was charged with seditious practices contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

It was alleged that Hichilema on September 20, in Mpongwe, conspired with other unknown people to bring into hatred, incite violence, resistance and disobedience to the administration of the elected government of Zambia by uttering words, “Nga taba mufumishe Matambo, epo ulubuli lwalatampila (If they haven’t released [Copperbelt UPND chairperson Elisha Matambo], that’s how the fight will start.”

In count two, GBM was charged with seditious practices.

It was alleged that on September 26, in Mpongwe, GBM conspired with other unknown people to bring into hatred, incite violence, resistance and disobedience to the administration of the elected government of Zambia by uttering words, “Ifwe pano ngaba UPND tulwile twakana iyi government yakwa Lungu; ngabamyeba ati kuli ama meeting yaba Lungu mulekana, pantu president wesu ni HH (As UPND, we should not recognise the government of Lungu because our president is HH)”.

In count three, the two UPND leaders were charged with unlawful assembly contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

It was alleged that on September 26 in Mpongwe, the duo jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown convened, assembled unlawfully with intent to carry out some common purpose without notifying the regulating officer.