HIGH COURT ORDERS PRESENTATION OF MUKANDILA BEFORE COURT
By CHIKUMBI KATEBE
HIGH Court Judge Chibwe Kombe has ordered Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha to present PF-Pamodzi Alliance secretary general Celestine Mukandila before court without fail.
Justice Kombe granted Mr Mukandila’s application for a writ of habeas corpus, filed on August 29, 2026, following what he described as unconstitutional and illegal detention for more than eight days.
Mr Mukandila was picked up from his Mapepe home on August 20, 2026, on immigration-related charges
In his application, Mr Mukandila argued that the charge against him was bailable and that he had fulfilled all requirements for police bond, but continued to be detained without lawful cause.
He also denied allegations that he was a foreign national and that he fraudulently obtained a green National Registration Card (NRC).
On September 2, 2026, Principal Immigration Officer Ian Mutamila filed an affidavit opposing the habeas corpus application.
Mr Mutamila submitted that Mr Mukandila had already been charged and was awaiting appearance before court.
He told the court that Mr Mukandila was suspected to be a Congolese national who had fraudulently obtained a green NRC and was scheduled to appear before court.
However, Mr Mukandila stated in his application that attempts to secure police bond had failed because he was allegedly informed that authorities were awaiting instructions from relevant authorities regarding his case.
Justice Kombe issued the order on Thursday afternoon, September 3, 2026, directing that Mr Mukandila be presented before court without fail.