THE State has entered a nolle prosequi in a case in which three Patriotic Front supporters were accused of assaulting three fellow party members in March, this year, during intra-party elections at Olympic Africa Academy.

In this matter, Cliff Bwalya, a 45-year-old district youth chairperson of Chaisa Compound; John Kamweo, 22-year-old Ward Youth Chairperson in Mandevu Constituency and Martin Katazo, 33, of Mandevu Compound were charged with three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

In count one, it was alleged that on March 15, this year, the three whilst acting together with others unknown, assaulted Lemmy Bwalya and occasioned him actual bodily harm.

In count two, it was alleged that Bwalya and Kamweo on the same date, assaulted Thomas Phiri and occasioned him actual bodily harm.

In the last count, it was alleged that Bwalya assaulted Gladys Mwila and occasioned her actual bodily harm.

However, when the matter came up for continued trial before Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale, Wednesday, State Prosecutor Juvenalis Kamutondole informed the Court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had entered a nolle prosequi in the matter.

Magistrate Mwale then informed the accused that in light of the nolle prosequi received from the DPP, proceedings against them were discontinued and that the said accused persons were accordingly discharged.

During trial, a former PF information publicity secretary for Justine Kabwe Ward 21 in Mandevu constituency, Lemmy Bwalya, narrated how he was allegedly pepper sprayed and whipped with a hose pipe by his fellow PF members during intra-party elections at Olympic Africa Academy.

Lemmy told the Court that on March 15, this year, he was in Rapheal Chota Ward in Chipata Township where they were supposed to have intra-party ward elections.

He testified that while he was inside, his supporters who were supposed to vote for him were stopped from entering by two of the accused persons.

Lemmy said when he went outside to clear his supporters, John started punching him in the chest, while Martin started whipping him with a hose pipe.

“People who came to vote for me were not given access to the venue after being stopped by John and Martin. I went out to clear those people who were stopped from coming in. But when I was trying to let them in, John started punching me in the chest and Martin came with a hose pipe,” he told the Court.

Another witness, Thomas Phiri, also narrated to the Court how he was also allegedly beaten by Bwalya and Kamweo on the material day.

He told the Court that he sustained a swollen forehead and bruises on his hand.

Phiri said he was not the only one who was beaten on that day.