13 Leadership Movement (LM) party members, among them, party president Richard Silumbe and his secretary general, Brown Sinyangwe, have denied being in possession of 54 machetes, six high-power stun guns and 13 short buttons.

In this matter, the 13 are charged with one count of possession of offensive weapons or materials.
The accused persons include: Silumbe, 38, a surgeon of Woodlands; Sinyangwe, 24, secretary general of the party; Yamikani Zulu, 37, security guard; Finod Mukubesa, 38, a security guard of Chawama; Gilbert Daka, 37, a Kamwala South truck driver and Isaac Chibuye, 24, unemployed of Kalingalinga.

Others are: Lazarus Zimba, a 47-year-old businesman of John Laing; Edward Chicheleko, a 27-year-old security guard of Matero; Dismas Chanda, a 27-year-old minibus driver of Kamwala South; Amos Tembo, a 28-year-old minibus driver of Kamwala South; Elias Banda a 27-year-old driver of Kanyama; Joseph Chimwendo, a 29-year-old artist of Kanyama site and service and Prella Chinga, 30, of Chinika area.

Particulars of the offence allege that Zulu, Mukubesa, Daka, Chibula, Zimba, Chicheleko, Chanda, Tembo, Banda, Chimwendo, Chinga, Sinyangwe and Silumbe, on October 14, this year in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together and without lawful excuse, had in their possession offensive weapons namely 54 machetes, six-high power stun guns and 13 short buttons.

The 13 could not take plea previously when they appeared in court as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had not yet issued consent of prosecution in the matter.

But when the matter came up before Chief Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale, Monday, the State informed the Court that it had received instructions from the DPP to prosecute the matter.

Magistrate Mwale then read out the charge to the accused persons, who all pleaded not guilty.
The matter comes up on December 10, this year, for commencement of trial.