LIMA PETITION: CROSS-EXAMINATION PUTS NRPUP LEADERSHIP IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Cross-examination in the Lima Constituency election petition on Thursday raised questions about the leadership of the NRPUP after a defence witness gave differing answers regarding the party’s president.
Geoffrey Banda, an NRPUP member and campaign organiser for Kelvin Kaunda, initially identified Brian Mundubile as the party’s current president. However, when questioned about Ezra Tembo, he also identified Mr Tembo as president.
The court also heard questions about allegations of campaign-period violence. Mr Banda acknowledged that his witness statement did not name the alleged perpetrators, that he had not reported the incidents, and that he could not account for events at every polling station.
Another witness, Patrick Sebeti, testified about individuals he suspected were UPND supporters allegedly chanting “Alebwelelapo” while observing vote counting through a window. He acknowledged that the individuals had not identified themselves to him and that he had not been present in all seven streams at the polling station.
The defence requested an adjournment to call additional witnesses.
NEXT HEARING: Friday, 23 October 2026, before Justice Derrick Mulenga.
LIMA CONSTITUENCY — THE PETITION