THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has committed two men accused of murdering three Chinese nationals and setting ablaze a warehouse in Makeni area to the High Court for trial.

Victor Kabaso, 22 and Henry Mudenda, 18, both of Garden House appeared before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

They have been charged with one count of aggravated robbery, three counts of murder and another count of arson.

In count one, Kabaso and Mudenda are alleged to have on May 24, 2020 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, stolen from Guifang Cao, one Asus laptop and K23,750 cash altogether valued at K36,750.00, property of Gu Hao.

It is alleged that at or immediately before or after such stealing, the two used or threatened to use actual violence to the said Guifang Cao in order to obtain or retain or prevent or overcome resistance of it being stolen or retained.

In counts two, three and four, Kabaso and Mudenda are alleged to have on the same dates jointly and whilst acting together murdered Fan Ming Jie, Jubing Bao and Guifang Cao.

And in the last count, the two on the same day jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown willfully and unlawfully set on fire a warehouse at Blue Star Company valued at K1 million, the property of Gu Hao.

When Kabaso and Mudenda appeared before Lusaka Principal Resident Magistrate, Mwaka Mikalile yesterday, she explained the charges to them to which they said they understood.

Magistrate Mikalile then explained to the accused persons that they could not take plea before her court as the charges were tried in the High Court.

At this point, State prosecutor Juvenalis Kamutondole informed Magistrate Mikalile that he was in receipt of a certificate from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) committing the two to the High Court for trial.

Magistrate Mikalile then committed the accused persons to the High Court.

However, before she could rise, Kabaso and the juvenile applied that the court directs that they be allowed to seek medical attention, which she granted.