HH, GBM trial starts in Luanshya

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 13:48:53 +0000

By VIOLET TEMBO

TRIAL in the matter in which UPND leaders Hakainde Hichilema and his vice Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba are charged with seditious practices and unlawful assembly continued before Luanshya Magistrates Court with two witnesses testifying for the State.

When the matter came up for trial yesterday, George Kalumba, a PF cadre based in Mpongwe, said he only saw the two UPND leaders addressing people.

He said he reported what he witnessed to the district commissioner’s office to make a follow-up over the meeting that had taken place.

Kaluba said he stood 40 kilometers away from the meeting and did listen to what was being said by the two leaders because they were using a mega phone.

And another witness Judith Kalunga, who introduced herself as the Mpongwe PF commander, said she did not hear anyone incite people to raise against the Government.

Ms Kalunga testified that she found a large crowd of people at the Mpongwe-Luanshya turn-off and her vehicle was stopped by UPND cadres.

She told the court that the cadres who wore red warned her not to proceed with her vehicle to her destination, saying her vehicle would be smashed if she ignored their directive.

When she stopped, she saw the two accused persons and overheard HH saying that ‘’if the State did not release his Copperbelt party chairperson from Kamfinsa, confusion will erupt’’.

She told the court that the warning by cadres of smashing her vehicle if she proceeded and words by the UPND president stirred fear in her. She then reported the matter to Mpongwe district commissioner.

She told the court that she was not happy to see the two leaders addressing a meeting when the country had come to the end of general elections and Edgar Lungu had been declared winner.

Trial continues.

In count one and two, Hichilema and Mwamba are charged individually with seditious practices contrary to the laws of Zambia.

In count three the two are jointly charged with unlawful assembly contrary to section 75 as read with section 74 of the Penal Code and the Public Order Act.

Particulars are that Hichilema, 54, of house no. 14/38 Sable road, Kabulonga, on September 26, 2016,in Mpongwe did conspire with others unknown to bring into hatred, incite violence, resistance and disobedience to the administration of the elected Government of Zambia by uttering words namely ”nga taba mufumishe Matambo, epo ulubuli lwala tampila”.

In count two Mwamba, 57, of house number 10 Roan road, Kabulonga, was charged with seditious practices. It is alleged that on September 26, 2016, in Mpongwe, he did conspire with others unknown to bring into hatred, incite violence, resistance, and disobedience to the administration of the elected Government of Zambia by uttering words namely ”if we pano ngaba UPND tulwile twakana iyi Government yakwa Lungu; ngabamyeba ati kuli ama meeting yaba Lungu mulekana, pantu president wesu ni HH”.

In count three the duo are charged with unlawful assembly. It is alleged that on the same day in Mpongwe, being in a public place, jointly did convene, assemble unlawfully with intent to carry out some common purpose without notifying the regulating officer.

The two are appearing before Ndola Magistrate John Mbuzi in Luanshya.