“I AM NOT A THIEF!”: DRAMA AS MWILA DODGES RE-ARREST IN COURT
DEC officers clash with former PF Secretary General Davies Mwila, who demands a call-out after the state drops corruption charges in court.
Lusaka, Zambia, October 24 – High drama unfolded at the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court yesterday when officers from the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) attempted to re-arrest former Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Davies Mwila moments after the state entered a nolle prosequi in his corruption case. Mwila, however, was not having any of it.
A visibly frustrated Mwila protested the sudden ambush, insisting that he would only cooperate if he received a proper call-out. “Don’t push me! I’ve been coming to court diligently. You failed to bring your witnesses, and now you want to harass me? I’m not running anywhere!” Mwila shouted, standing his ground like a man guarding his last goat.
In a move that raised eyebrows, the state dropped the case against Mwila and his co-accused, lawyer Ann Mwitwa, after prosecutor Mwangala Mwala admitted that no witnesses were available. The pair had been accused of possessing K102,600,000 suspected to be proceeds of crime. Despite multiple delays, the state’s witnesses seemed to have vanished faster than a campaign promise.
During the hearing, Magistrate Davies Chibwili rejected the state’s request for yet another adjournment, noting that no compelling reason had been provided. “The state has been making frantic efforts, but their witnesses have gone AWOL. We cannot adjourn forever while the accused twiddles his thumbs here,” Chibwili said, hinting at the absurdity of prosecuting a case without witnesses.
When the state finally threw in the towel with a nolle prosequi, things took a dramatic turn. As Mwila was preparing to leave the courtroom, DEC officers moved in, asking him to accompany them back to their offices. That’s when Mwila unleashed a verbal volley that had onlookers glued to the spectacle.
“I AM NOT A THIEF!” he bellowed, his voice echoing down the court corridors. “You people just charge anyone for fun! Even now, I will follow you, but not like this. I am coming to your offices on my terms. I have not stolen. I am not a thief!” Mwila insisted, as if daring the officers to bring their best game.
His defense lawyer, Charles Changano, quickly intervened, reminding the officers that without a warrant, any attempt to re-arrest Mwila would be illegal. “Gentlemen, where is your warrant? If you want to arrest him, follow the law, or we will have more drama than a telenovela,” Changano quipped, drawing chuckles from the crowd.
The DEC officers, realizing they were outmatched by Mwila’s defiance and Changano’s legal wit, reluctantly allowed Mwila to leave.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Changano expressed doubts about the state’s sudden withdrawal of the case. “The nolle prosequi is highly suspicious. The state failed to produce witnesses, yet here they are, still trying to corner my client. It feels like someone is more interested in harassment than justice,” he said.
Mwila, looking triumphant but still brimming with frustration, promised to visit the DEC offices—just not under duress. “If they think I’m running, let them keep waiting. I’ll visit them when I’m good and ready,” he said with a grin, climbing into his car and waving off the DEC officers like a coach calling time-out.
As Mwila drove off, spectators agreed that the day’s drama rivaled a football match at half-time. “This is Zambia—where justice is served with a side of comedy,” one onlooker remarked, shaking his head.
For now, Mwila walks free, leaving the DEC officers to lick their wounds and plot their next move. Whether this saga is truly over, or just half-time in a long political game, only time will tell.
(Credit: Nkani Online)