High Court to hear application to move Mwaliteta’s weapons case
THE State's application to o e ’ a a province chairman o a teta’ a e of allegedly being found in possession of offensive weapons from Kafue to a a e hea d y the a a h o t on 24. Mwaliteta, 45, a farmer and politician and James Sichomba, 36, a businessman are charged with the offence which occurred in Kafue on March 27 during the Kafue District Council chairperson by-election. The duo had in their possession offensive weapons or materials namely; two improvised machetes, a metal hoe, one wooden pick handle, two stones and a knife, without lawful excuse. Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Lillian Siyunyi stated in a notice of motion for an application of an order to change venue pursuant to section 80 (1) and (2) of the criminal procedure chapter 88 of the laws of Zambia that the duo had been charged with one count of possession of offensive weapons alleged to have been committed in Kafue but had not appeared in the Kafue Subordinate Court but had appeared in the Lusaka Subordinate court. She claimed that as soon as Mwaliteta and Sichomba were arrested, riots broke out in some parts of Kafue town and therefore, because of the nature of the offence and for security reasons, the case should be heard in Lusaka. Ms Siyunyi stated that she did not doubt the competence of the Magistrate in Kafue to deal with the matter but merely emphasised on the convenience and security of the parties.