Court orders arrest of Simon Mwewa

By LUCY PHIRI

THE Lusaka Magistrate Court has issued a bench warrant against social media vlogger Chitambala Mwewa commonly known as Simon Mwewa lane who was supposed to testify against former Roan Member of Parliament, Chishimba Kambwili in a matter is charged with unlawful assembly.
Earlier, state Prosecutor, Mr. Lewis Loti had informed the court that he called Mwewa to testify before court but he declined that he was not interested.
When the matter came up yesterday for continuation of trial, Mr. Loti told Magistrate Kawama Mwamfuli that Kambwili was not before court but his lawyer, Mr. Kennedy Mambwe was present.
Mr. Loti said the state witness (Mwewa) who was supposed to testify was not before court and that he should be brought on bench warrant.
The court therefore called out the arresting officer, Mr. Micheal Matafwali to explain why the accused was not before the court.
Mr. Matafwali said efforts were made to go and arrest him at Simoson building but he was not there.
“Upon receipt of the warrant, efforts were made to go and arrest him at Simoson Building. He was not found. The phone calls went unanswered,” he said.
In this matter, Kambwili was jointly charged with Lusaka businessman Charles Chisanga Kakula for the charge of unlawful assembly and Hate speech.
However, Mwamfuli discharged accused number two (A2), Charles Kakula from the matter after the state made an application to the court.
Kambwili who was on October 15, 2024 involved in a road traffic accident which claimed the lives of two of his brothers was supposed to attend court yesterday but failed because he is still unwell.
It is alleged in count one that Kambwili on January 26, 2023, in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together with others Unknown, unlawfully did assemble with intent to commit an offence or breach of peace.
Magistrate Mwamfuli has since set December 19, 2024 for return of bench warrant.