‘Tokota Boys’ appear in court

…as business comes to a halt in Kitwe

BUSINESS in Kitwe yesterday came to a standstill as the notorious Tokota Boys were driven to the magistrate`s court in the infamous “Kasalanga” vehicle amid tight security.

A convoy of security vehicles meandered through the Central Business District to the subordinate court where hundreds of residents and curious onlookers converged to have a glimpse of the mostly teenage boys who are suspected to have been brutalising people.

As they descended from the “Kasalanga” residents jeered in unison while relatives sobbed as the court grounds was filled with a mixture of grief and jubilation.

The 19 boys aged between 15 to 34 years old, appeared before magistrate Yvonne Nalomba on three counts, namely abducting and kidnapping a 16-yearold boy, causing grievous bodily harm and causing noxious or forcing consumption of faeces.

Ms Nalomba informed the boys that they had merely appeared before her court for explanation of the charges while plea and trial would take place in the High Court.

They are alleged to have committed the offences on April 30, this year.

The boys were arrested following a video footage which went viral, showing a 16-year-old boy being beaten with various objects as they sang a song ‘Walitwishiba ifwe’.

Ms Nalomba adjourned the matter to May 28, for mention and the boys were remanded in Kamfinsa Correctional Facility.

As they were being ushered out of the court room, residents jeered, and heckled even louder as they were packed in the “Kasalanga” headed for Kamfinsa, on the outskirts of the city.