FORMER PF COUNCILLOR TESTIFIES AGAINST KAMPYONGO
Chinsali … Wednesday, February,16, 2022 [Smart Eagles]
Trial in which Hon. Stephen Kampyongo and six others are charged with endangering the safety of an aircraft on 2nd January 2015, has continued in the Chinsali Magistrate court.
And former PF Shiwangandu Chandaula ward councilor Martin Mulenga today testified against area member of parliament Hon. Steven Kampyongo.
Mr. Mulenga now UPND Shiwangandu district youth chairman recounts how he was allegedly called by Andrew, the young brother to Hon. Kampyongo to go to Kalalatenkwe primary school grounds with a view of disrupting the planned UPND rally.
He said upon arrival at Kalalatenkwe school grounds with 25 others they found a pot of goat meat boiling on fire with no one around and went straight to the school headmistress to inquire why she had allowed the UPND to hold a rally at the school.
He said the headmistress told them that the UPND had obtained a permit from the police.
Mr. Mulenga recounted how he, in the company of Andrew who was driving a PF branded land cruiser almost hit into a chopper carrying former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa, Felix Mutati, Mutale Nalumango, Patrick Mucheleka and journalist Alexander Musokotwane, when it attempted to land.
He said the chopper however ascended into the air and stones and sticks where thrown at it by PF cadres.
He alleged that when the fracas was going on he saw Hon. Kampyongo sitted in a GRZ Pajero few meters from the crime scene
And during cross examination defence lawyers namely Leon Lemba and George Chisanga who is also Lukasha MP asked Mr. Mulenga if instructions to disrupt a UPND rally came from Hon. Kampyongo, Mr. Mulenga said he only linked Hon. Kampyongo because he was constantly communicating with his brother on the phone.
When shown the video evidence of what transpired on 2nd January 2015, Mr. Mulenga contradicted himself on his earlier statements.
Mr. Mulenga could not clearly state whether the said landcruiser which was seen packed behind a tree drove towards the chopper with a view to hit into it.
Asked if he was bitter with Hon. Kampyongo because he failed to facilitate jobs in the police service for his two sons, Mr. Mulenga said he holds no grudge against Hon.Kampyongo.
Another state witness who testified before the court was Andyford Mwanza a police officer who was a Chief instructor on the material day equally contradicted the remarks by Martin Mulenga who has been found to be a prime suspect in the said violent activities.
Inspector Mwanza wondered why the said Martin Mulenga is now acting as state witness against Mr. Kampyongo’s co-accused when he too was among those who were arrested by police for the alleged offense.
He said from his experience as an officer Mr. Mulenga is supposed to be on the left side as suspect based on the video footage were he has clearly identified himself after he was apprehend together with Andrew Kampyongo the alleged driver at a time.
And Journalist Alexander Musokotwane during cross examination said he did not see Hon. Kampyongo on the crime scene.
And speaking shortly after the court proceeding the accused defense lawyer George Chisanga says they will remain resolute in defending his client adding that looking at the testimonies given so far and the contradictions among the state witnesses gives him hope that the matter may favour his clients unless any invisible hand is used.
He said this because the state has decided to bring more witnesses in addition to the seven who were brought before the court.
The matter has since been adjourned to March 9th and 10th 2022.