By SIMON MUNTEMBA
THE Chinsali Magistrate Court has granted former minister of Home Affairs, Stephen Kampyongo and his six co-accused, bail in the sum of K50, 000 each in their own recognisance after being charged with endangering the safety of civil aircraft in flight.
Lawyer representing all the seven accused, George Chisanga, said Mr Kampyongo and others were granted bail by resident magistrate Julius Malata after spending two nights in police custody.
“We appeared at Chinsali Magistrate Court before Mr Julius Malata. Mr Kampyongo has been granted a K50, 000 bail in his own recognisance and a surety in the same amount.
“Each accused has been granted the same bail conditions. However, we managed to secure the bail for the four, while for the other three, we could not finish facilitating their conditions because the magistrate was rushing somewhere. I was told to appear again on Monday to finish the bail processes of those who had remained in custody,” Mr Chisanga said.
Mr Chisanga said the possible commencement of trial was January 17, 2022.
Meanwhile, Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga has also confirmed that they had formally charged and arrested Mr Kampyongo, aged 49, of house Number 31, Kudu Road, Kabulonga, in Lusaka with six others.
In a statement, Mr Hamoonga named the other six suspects as Andrew Kampyongo aged 41 of Kabanda Village, Chief Chibesakunda, James Mulenga, 53, of Matumbo Village, Chief Chibesakunda, all of Shiwang’andu.
Others were Cephas Mwaba, 32, and Philip Sinkala, 25 of Village Matumbo, Chief Chibesakunda, Ignatius Musonda, aged 38, Kabangama Vilage, Chief Chibesakunda, and Augustine Kapolyo, of Baiwelo Village, Chief Mukwikile, Shiwang’andu.
He explained that they had been charged and arrested for the offence of endangering the safety of civil aircraft in flight or service with its passengers on board Contrary to Section 8 (b) (c) and F CAP 445 of the Civil Aviation Act.
Mr Moonga said the offence was allegedly committed on January 21, 2015 at Kalalantekwe school ground in Shiwang’andu.
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