Detained UPND Alliance official seeks freedom

OPPOSITION Republican Progressive Party (RPP) leader Leslie Chikuse has applied for habeas corpus accusing the police of refusing to give him a bond despite facing a civil offence.

Mr Chikuse who is also the UPND Alliance spokesperson was arrested on March 3, this year and is currently detained at Chilanga Police station.

The Opposition leader said his arrest was in relation to the matter before the Lusaka High Court in which he has been sued over stand SUB 15044/917 Kamwala South he allegedly sold to two people.

According to an affidavit in support of ex parte summons for leave to issue writ of habeas corpus filed on Tuesday, Mr Chikuse stated that since his arrest, he had not been presented to court despite peated requests.

“That the police have refused to give me a police bond for my release notwithstanding that the offence which I am alleged to have committed is bailable and I have been in custody for two weeks without lawful justification,” he stated.

He said that the allegations against him arise from a civil matter that was before court and as such the criminal proceedings were untenable and aimed at denying him liberty.

And in a case he is referring to, Mr Thomas Sinkala sued a Mr Muhammed together with Mr Chikuse seeking an order of interim injunction restraining the Indian businessman (Mr Muhammed) from developing the land in question until the determination of the case.

Mr Sinkala wants an order to compel Mr Muhammed to pay re

K120, 000 as a compensation for stand no. SUB 15044/917, damages and costs.

He stated that sometime in 2015, Mr Chikuse was selling his land stand no. SUB 15044/917 and he expressed interest in buying the same land.

Mr Sinkala said in no time, he agreed to buy the land at K200, 000.

He did after verification, he executed a contract with Mr Chikuse and immediately paid K45, 000 on July 18, 2015 and the parties agreed for the balance to be paid in instalments. He paid K15, 000 towards the outstanding balance and another K60, 000 and Mr Chikuse surrendered the receipt and the card from Lusaka City Council.

But before he could finish off paying the K200, 000, Mr .Muhammed claimed ownership of the same land.