‘RIOTERS’ DOCKED
…as relatives wail at court
THERE were emotional scenes in Kitwe yesterday as heavily armed police led to court over 100 people suspected to have taken part in rioting and damaging of buildings, which occurred last week. The city centre came to a standstill when police vehicles, full of suspects, meandered through the crammed streets up to the subordinate courts. Armed police dangled from the frames of the vehicles to keep at bay some surging curious onlookers. As the vehicles parked one after the other, relatives of the 117 suspects wailed at the court premises as scores of residents converged to catch a glimpse of handcuffed suspects, mostly youths. There was heavy police presence in all strategic areas of Kitwe up to the subordinate courts where residents cried uncontrollably at the sight of crestfallen suspects. The 117 suspects were divided into groups and allocated to different magistrates, from court one to six. In the first case, Kitwe Chief Resident Magistrate Yvonne Nalomba granted 14 suspected rioters K5,000 bail in their own recognisance. Kelvin Bwalya 29, Boyd Kasuba 26, Peter Chitabula 20, Fabian Chengo 35, Steven Kalunga 18, Dabwiso Njolvu 21, Bruce Chitalu 46 and Richard Mpande 27 were granted bail. Others were Harrison Mumba 20, Steven Mambwe 30, Boniface Kunda 31, Alex Kamanga 24 and Nkata Langanani 27 who all denied the two charges of rioting and riotous injuring of a building. The 14 on November 5 this year are suspected to have taken part in a riot to the terror of the public while in the second count they are charged with riotous injuring of a building. They allegedly damaged property worth K5,000 at Xingmei Supermarket which is being rented from Guy Kalunga. Earlier, the State had objected to the bail application, arguing that suspects could interfere with the witnesses or regroup and cause more riots. But Ms Nalomba said until there was evidence that the suspect would interfere with the witnesses there was no reason to deny bail. She has since adjourned this particular matter to November 26 for commencement of trial. Elsewhere, 26 suspects appeared before Magistrate Kampinda Chipamu also charged with two counts of rioting and riotous injury to building. These are Trust Mukonka 48, David Kamusa 18, Boniface Kabwe 22, Kabwe Chama 45, Pearson Kasome 48, Shame Sichinga 28, Friday Kasitu 44, Joseph Chaba 35, Patson Kandela 54, Cyrus Chanda 35 and Emmanuel Mbwisa 48. Court documents indicated that they were riotously assembled and unlawfully damaged a building namely Ling Sang Investment where property valued at K5,000 was destroyed. Mr Chipamu thereafter granted all the accused persons K1,000 cash bail and two working sureties in their recognisance, who were employees of established and recognised companies. Others who appeared before Mr Chipamu were Joshua Bwalya 43, Fanny Nanyinza 43, Sylvia Mumbi 39, Salome Mulenga 35, John Mulenga 26, Jacob Kalwila 26, Nungikilo Kalanda 23, Alick Mbewe 23, Annie Mwewa 19, Selita Kalubila 19, and Luckson Mubanga with four juveniles. The 15 are alleged to have unlawfully damaged a building belonging to Chief Trade Centre, destroying property worth K6,600 belonging to David Chifulo. And in count three, two of the 15 accused persons namely Kalwila and Mulenga are facing a charge of theft of assorted goods valued at K13,885 property of Lowsking Investment Limited . They have been granted K3,000 bail each with two working sureties and the matter has since been adjourned to November 30 for commencement of trial. Meanwhile, 11 suspects facing two counts of rioting and riotous injuring building could not take their plea before Magistrate Malota Phiri because one suspect who is on police bound was not in court. The State prosecutor informed the court that one of the suspects believed to be a juvenile was not available while the surety’s phone went unanswered. Other suspects who appeared on the same charges before Magistrate Malota Phiri were Misozi Banda, Chris Chipoya, Brian Bwalya, Vincent Ng’andwe and Moses Kalanga. The rest were Kalumba Samwaka, Danny Mukenda, Sibeso Nyambe and Edna Musenge and two other juveniles. The matter has been adjourned to Friday for plea and return of the bench warrant while the rest were remanded at Kamfinsa Correctional Facility. Appearing before Magistrate Chongo Musonda were Bruce Muyangwa, Davy Kanyemesha, Dickson Kazembe, Wellington Chungu, Frank Kunda, Patrick Kabwe and Augustine Mulenga. Others were Anthony Mpelembe, Robam Nkole, Daniel Muwandia, Joseph Mulenga, Hillary Chanda, Bartholomew Musonda and Sydney Mwila. They are alleged to have unlawfully damaged Xingmay Supermarket and destroyed goods valued at K5,000. Ms Musonda since adjourned the matter to November 27 this year for commencement of trial. Before Senior Resident Magistrate Mwansa Chibalo were 15 suspects whose case failed to take off as one of them was not present in court. Mr Chibalo has adjourned the matter to today to allow Abraham Chalikosa to join his fellow accused persons in taking plea. As police vehicles pulled up, relatives wailed at the court presence while the suspects filed past to various courtrooms. Emotional scenes characterised the court grounds but police in riot gear took control and warned relatives and friends to observe silence in the court area.