By LUCY PHIRI
THE Lusaka magistrates court yesterday dismissed charges of assault and trespassing against of Patriotic Front Cadre (PF) Innocent Kalimanshi popularly known as ‘’AMA AMERICANS’’ and three others.
However, only three walked to freedom as Kalimanshi is remanded on other charges of drug possession. The three who walked to freedom expressed happiness but said they will not celebrate because their boss was still in jail over another charge of drug possessions. ‘’ We shall wait for our master Kalimanshi to come out, that’s when we shall celebrate. For now we are happy that we are out and we can’t wait for October 19, for him to be with us,’’ said James Sakala, one of those freed.
Meanwhile Magistrate Felix Kaoma said the matter lacked proper evidence against the accused and therefore the case was dismissed. Kalimanshi, 40, was charged with Donald Kampamba, 46, James Sakala, 43 and Samuel Kabalamwe, 42, all business executives, for criminal trespass while Kalimanshi is also charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. This is the matter that arose from the violence that happened at the PF secretariat on May 1, 2021 when former National Democratic Congress leader Chishimba Kambwili went to rejoin the PF.
In count one, it was alleged that Kalimanshi, Kampamba, Sakala, and Kabalamwe on May 1, 2021 in Lusaka, entered the premises of the PF secretariat with intent to annoy. In counts two and three, Ka[1]limanshi is on the same day alleged to have assaulted Theresa Sampa and Hellen Mwansa thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm. Magistrate Kaoma however dismissed the matter and said if there was any money paid towards bail, the accused were free to withdraw their money.
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