UPND Hamamba’s theft trial fails to start
TRIAL involving UPND member Fred Hamamba, who is facing two counts of aggravated robbery in relation to theft of 2016 election materials, failed to take off yesterday in the Lusaka High Court as exhibits are still in the custody of the lower court.
When the matter came up for trial to start before Judge Catherine Phiri, the state told the court that they were not ready to proceed because there was no application made to the lower court (Magistrates Court) to release the exhibits that witnesses would like to rely on.
“The matter was scheduled for commencement of trial but the challenge is in the exhibits that witnesses would like to refer to. The exhibits are not before court because there was no application that was made to release the exhibits. “We request for adjournment to enable us make necessary application to release the exhibits,” the state said.
Judge Phiri adjourned the matter to April 20 2018.
In this matter, it is alleged that on August 14, 2016 in Lusaka whilst acting together with other persons unknown, Hamamba did steal from Elina Nyirenda a handbag valued at K400.00, K350.00 cash and an envelope containing GEN 12 forms, altogether valued at K750.00.
It is also alleged that immediately before or after the time of such stealing, Hamamba did use or threatened to use actual violence to the said Elina in order to obtain or retain property or prevent or overcome resistance to its being stolen.
In the second count, it is alleged that Hamamba on August 14, 2016 in Lusaka whilst acting with other persons unknown did steal from Emmanuel Simbeye, a Blackberry cellphone valued at K4, 000 and threatened to use violence to the said victim in order to obtain the said property or prevent resistance to it being stolen.
Initially, Hamamba was jointly charged with Obvious Mwaliteta and five others who were subsequently acquitted of similar charges after being tried by the High Court.
Hamamba was on the Zambia Police wanted list after he allegedly fled.