Two police officers and two Chinese nationals have been dragged to court for allegedly abducting a Chinese national with intent to confine him.
But appearing in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court yesterday, were only one police officer and two Chinese nationals when the matter came up for plea as the first accused was reportedly sick.
The four are expected to take plea before Magistrate Silvia Munyinya, Friday.
In this matter, Lufwendo Bataba, a 45-year-old police officer of Bauleni; Malulu Christopher Chanda, a 40-year-old police officer of Kalingalinga; Zhuang Youjun, 32-year-old translator and Wang Qighai, a 50-year-old businessman are charged with one count of abducting with intent to confine a person contrary to section 256 of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence allege that the accused persons on August 30, 2018, in Lusaka jointly and whilst acting together did abduct Wang Shunxue with intent to secretly and wrongfully confine him.
When the matter came up for plea before Magistrate Munyinya, Thursday, the defence lawyer Phil Muya asked for an adjournment, saying accused number one, Lufwendo Bataba, was not present in court as they were only informed about the matter in the morning.
He added that the accused was also unwell.
Bataba’s sureties were also not present in court.
“I expected the sureties to be here because the accused is not here. For today, I will take it that the accused is absent and the sureties are absent,” Magistrate Munyinya said.
The matter comes up, Friday, for plea.
Meanwhile, a 26-year-old bricklayer of Chawama has been dragged to court for stealing four goats and two sheep valued at K2,900.
In this matter, Martin Mwachi is charged with stock theft contrary to section 275 (1) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that Mwachi on September 20, 2018, in Lusaka stole four goats and two sheep valued at K2,900 belonging to Fresh Farm.
The matter has since been allocated to Magistrate Felix Kaoma and is scheduled to take plea.
