UPND witness tells court he would’ve still voted NRPUP even without receiving K50
A WITNESS in the Kabushi Constituency election petition has told the Ndola High Court that he would have still voted for NRPUP even without receiving a K50 note.
Ephraim Kawangu, 29, a student at Mushili Training Centre and a witness for UPND losing candidate Emeldah Mpupuni, had earlier told the court that he was given a pen with a K50 note hidden inside it on his way to vote at Dambo School Polling Station.
Kawangu claimed that he met first respondent Tillus Sichinga, who allegedly told him not to use the pen he was given when voting.
“My Lord, Sichinga told me that I should not use the pen that I was going to find at the booth when voting at the polling station because the ink would rub off,” Kawangu told the court.
But his testimony took a dramatic turn under cross-examination.
When pressed on whether the K50 note had influenced his vote, Kawangu said that it had not.
“No one forced me to vote and I would have still voted for the first respondent even without receiving a K50 from him,” he told the court.
Kawangu further told the court that he was eager to vote and already knew who he wanted to vote for even before reaching the polling station.
The witness had earlier testified that he was given a blue pen with white stripes, which had a K50 note inside the stopper, and was told to vote for NRPUP candidates from President to councillor.
He said he agreed and went on to vote for the candidates.
This is in a matter in which the election of Kabushi NRPUP Member of Parliament, Tillus Sichinga is being challenged over alleged electoral malpractices.
Trial continues.
-TV Yatu | Sanfrossa Mberi | September 29, 2026.