NUMBER OF YOUTHS ACCUSED OF BEATING POLICE OFFICERS IN KATETE INCREASES TO 21
This was after another suspect was arrested and jointly charged with the 20 others who were arrested in November last year.
When the matter came up Thursday before Chipata Resident High Court Judge Mercy Makubalo for plea, the State applied to have Frankson Sakala jointly charged with others.
The 21 youths are facing each accused of riotous behaviour, arson, malicious damage to property, and 18 counts of assault of police and one count of assault.
All the accused have denied committing the offenses.
After the accused denied the charges , the State applied to have the matter adjourned to another High Court criminal session.
“We pray that this matter be adjourned to a month where it will be the only case cause listed so that we don’t disturb other cases this session. This is because of the number of witnesses that will have to call.
“We are expected to call 40 witnesses in this matter,” senior State Advocate Nchimunya Munkombwe told the court.
But the defence argued that the State has never been ready to proceed with the matter because they had not yet availed the defence with a list of the 40 witnesses they were talking about.
The accused are being represented by Lusaka lawyer Joseph Chirwa.
Ms Justice Makubalo adjourned the matter to June 5,this year for commencement of trial.
In the Picture: the accused leaving the Chipata High Court building after their matter was adjourned.