INTIMIDATING MILITARY – LIKE VEHICLES, HEAVY PRESENCE OF POLICE IN CHOMA TOWN DISGUSTS MWEETWA
The Defense Counsel for Queen Veronica Mukuni and four UPND members have expressed worry at the high number of police officers deployed to the court whenever their clients appear.
On Thursday morning, all roads leading to the Choma Magistrates court were blocked by the police who were turning away some people from attending the case hearing.
Byta FM Court Beat Journalist reports that this was during a case involving Fines Malambo who is jointly charged with Ackson Sejani , Vincent Lilanda, Javen Simoloka and Veronica Mwanakansale Mukuni who appeared for mention before Senior Resident Magistrate Peter Mungala.
The five accused persons stand charged with two counts of Abduction with intent to confine, contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
The defendants are in the first count jointly charged with the abduction of Pheluna Hatembo, while in the second count, they are alleged to have confined Milton Hatembo.
When the matter came up for plea, all the accused persons pleaded innocent to the charge compelling Principal Resident Magistrate Idah Mupemo to record a plea of not guilty.
The defense however, applied to the court to have the police removed from surrounding the court premises because their presence was intimidating.
The defense further applied that the police should stop blocking members of private media houses while only allowing public media journalists.
Meanwhile, State Advocate Kahilu Chitengi objected to the application while stating that the presence of police is meant to promote law and order.
Magistrate Mungala who was sitting in for the mention session on behalf of the trial court informed both parties that ruling will be made on the application by the trial court when the matter comes up for trial.
The case has since been adjourned to 26th May, 2021 for commencement of trial while bail for all the accused persons has been extended.