Tue, 15 Aug 2017 10:28:52 +0000
….as UPND cadres dare cops
By Charles Musonda
I STRONGLY deny the treason charge, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema yesterday told the Lusaka High Court when he and his five co-accused took plea in the case, which has triggered controversy locally and abroad.
And unruly UPND cadres yesterday dared police officers manning the Lusaka High Court premises in a clear attempt to provoke them but the officers did not react.
Hichilema is jointly charged with some of his private security personnel that includes Hamusonde Hamaleka, Pretorious Haloba, Lastone Mulilanduba, Wallace Chakawa, and Muleya Hachinda for treason contrary to section 43 (1) (d) of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that the accused persons between April 5 and 8, 2017 in Lusaka and Mongu with other persons unknown endeavuored to carry out by force an enterprise to usurp the executive power of the State in a matter of both public and general nature through two overt acts.
The first overt act was that on April 5, 2017, Hichilema and Chakawa in Lusaka conspired to mobilise an advance party to ensure Hichilema was to be accorded the status of the President of the Republic of Zambia at the Kuomboka ceremony.
The second overt act was that on April 8, 2017 all the accused persons whilst acting together with approximately 60 other unknown persons on the Mongu Limulunga Road, obstructed the Presidential motorcade, an act that was likely to cause death or grievous harm to the President of the Republic of Zambia (Edgar Lungu) to usurp executive power of the State.
When the long awaited matter took off before Judge Charles Chanda, Director of Public Prosecutions Fulata Lilian Shawa-Siyunyi informed the court that she was leading a team of seven State advocates in prosecuting the accused persons.
On the other end, defence lawyer Vincent Malambo was the lead counsel accompanied by about 17 others from 11 law firms. The other defence lawyers included John Sangwa, Jack Mwiimbu, Nelly Mutti, Kashumba Mutti, Dr. Henry Mbushi, Zevyanji Sinkala, Martha Mushipe, and Paul Katupisha.
Others were Keith Mweemba, Michelo Mwanga, Nchimunya Nedziwe Mwange, Natasha Hadunka, Christopher Mundia Junior, and Marshal Muchende.
After all the accused persons pleaded not guilty, the case was adjourned to tomorrow August 16, 2017 for commencement of trial
Meanwhile, despite tight security around the court premises, unruly UPND cadres dared the police in a clear challenge to provoke the officers but the latter did not react.
