38 face weapons possession charge
…9 on murder charges
By CHARLES MUSONDA
NINE suspected United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres have been charged with the murder of two Patriotic Front (PF) members in Lusaka’s Kanyama compound last month while 38 are expected to appear in court on charges of possession of offensive weapons or materials.
The 38 suspected UPND cadres were yesterday expected to appear in the Lusaka Magistrates Court on charges of possessing offensive weapons or materials.
The accused in the murder case are Samson Mumba, Kelvin Banda, Andrew Banda, John Mwanza, and Njekwa Puteho. Others are Reuben Nalikana, Mwendalubi Namushi, Elijah Kawewe, and John Bwalya.
They are accused of murdering Danny Kasongoand Davies Kabunda on July 30, 2021 after raiding a PF camp in Kanyama’s Mbasela area.
Lusaka Principal Resident Magistrate Jennifer Bwalya yesterday allocated the case to Magistrate Sanford Ngobola but the accused persons were not brought before court for explanation of the charge. They are still remanded in custody.
According to Lusaka Province Commissioner of Police Luckson Sakala who confirmed theirarrest, police recovered offensive weapons among them machetes, knives, slashers, hammers, a wheel spanner, catapults, marbles, and lighters.
They are scheduled to be appearing in the Lusaka Magistrates Court for mention until the Director of Public Prosecutions issues a certificate of committal committing them to the High Court for trial.
Meanwhile, in the other matter, the accused persons have been put in two different courts facing the same charges.
Those appearing before Magistrate Chitabo are Moses Banda and 19 others.
It is alleged that Banda and others without lawful authority or excuse had in their possession 20 machetes and wheel spanners.
In another court, David Chibesa and 17 others are appearing before Magistrate ChinundaChiwaula and particulars of offence are that on the same date the accused persons had 11 machetes, a slasher and a knife.
The two sets of accused persons were expected to appear for plea and possible trial but by press time they had not been brought before court.
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