UPND member Fred Hamamba has appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on two counts of aggravated robbery in relation to theft of 2016 election materials.

Hamamba was on the Zambia Police wanted list after he allegedly fled while his fellow assailants Obvious Mwaliteta and five others were arrested.

When the matter came up magistrate Austin Mubita today, Hamamba said he understood the charge.

Magistrate Mubita has told the accused the case was beyond his jurisdiction and as such, he would be appearing in the subordinate court for mention until the Director of Public Prosecutions issues instructions to have the case committed to the High Court.

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 and 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 the second count, 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.

But on August 8, 2017, the Lusaka High Court acquitted Mwaliteta and others of similar charges saying the prosecution failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.

Meanwhile, Fanwell Siandenge is still on on the police wanted list.