GBM EVACUATED

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 10:37:31 +0000

–  MISSES COURT CASE

By Violet Tembo

UPND vice-president for administration Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba has been evacuated for medical treatment at an undisclosed facility in South Africa.

Family members yesterday confirmed that Mr. Mwamba who was taken ill last week was first admitted and treated at CFB medical centre in Lusaka, but his condition did not improve and doctors recommended his evacuation.

He was subsequently flown to South Africa where he is admitted at a private hospital. Family members who could not immediately accompany him at the point of evacuation have since travelled.

According to sources in South Africa, Mr Mwamba was at a private facility in Johannesburg for treatment for an unspecified condition.

Yesterday the Luanshya Magistrates court was forced to adjourn a case in which Mr. Mwamba and his President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema have been jointly charged on three counts of seditious practices and unlawful assembly.

Mr. Hichilema also failed to attend the trial because he was reported to be receiving medical attention at Lusaka Trust Hospital and was declared medically unfit for any activity.

This came to light yesterday after Mr Mwamba failed to show up at the Luanshya Magistrate Court where he was scheduled to appear with Mr Hichilema on three counts of seditious practices and unlawful assembly contrary to the laws of Zambia.

When the matter came up for continued trial and defence yesterday, their lawyer, Mr Mulilo Kabesha presented two medical reports as part of evidence.

Mr Kabesha informed the court that the first accused person, Hichilema was receiving medical attention at Lusaka Trust Hospital and was declared medically unfit for any activity while his co-accused was reportedly in South Africa for undisclosed illness.

“We regret the absence of the accused persons in the case before this court as they are indisposed. First accused person is unwell and has been given five days bed rest from 24th August, 2017. I wish to submit the original slip from the hospital.”

“And the second accused Mwamba, has been unwell.  He was initially admitted to CFB Medical Centre in Lusaka.  There is also a sick note we wish to submit before the court which indicate that he is medically unfit for work from 24th August, 2017.

“Your honour we have information that the condition of the accused is not improving and has since been taken out of the country for medical treatment. I got the information from the other defence lawyer, Mr Tom Shamakamba, who was contacted.

“We tender the two sick notes for the two as part of evidence of their indisposition,” Mr Kabesha said.

He then applied for an adjournment. The State, represented by Deputy chief state advocate Chipola Bako did not object to the application admitting that they had been furnished with the sick notes prior to the court sitting.

Mr Bako proposed to the court that the matter be adjourned to 18th September, 2017 for continued trial.

Ruling over the application, Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate sitting in Luanshya John Mbuzi granted the application and extended bail for the two accused persons.

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

In count three, the two were jointly charged with unlawful assembly contrary to section 75 as read with section 74 of the penal code and regulation of the Public Order Act.

Particulars are that Hichilema, 54, of house number 14/38 Sable Road, Kabulonga on September, 26, 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 lwalatampila.

In count two Mwamba, 57, of house number 10 Roan Road, Kabulonga, was charged with seditious practices.

It is alleged that on September, 26, in Mpongwe, Mwamba conspired 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 “ifwe pano ngaba UPND tufwile twakana iyi Government yakwa Lungu; ngabamyeba ati kuli ama meeting yaba Lungu mulekana, pantu president wesu ni HH.”

In count three the duo were charged with unlawful assembly.

It is alleged that on September, 26, in Mpongwe being in a public place and while acting together with others unknown did convene, assemble unlawfully with intent to carry out some common purpose without notifying the regulating officer.