LUSAKA MAGISTRATE ISSUES BENCH WARRANT FOR NO-SHOW EMMANUEL MWAMBA

THE Lusaka Magistrate Court has issued a warrant of arrest against Patriotic Front (PF) national chairperson for information and publicity, Emmanuel Mwamba in a matter he is accused of strangling and squeezing the neck of a police officer who wanted to arrest him.

This was after the state made an application to have Mwamba brought on warrant after missing court for the second time.

Mwamba, 53, who is also a PF presidential hopeful is facing one count of assault on a Police Officer contrary to Section 250(b) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that Mwamba on June 14, 2023 in Lusaka assaulted Detective Inspector Steven Simwenda, an officer of the Zambia Police Service, in the due execution of his duty.

It is also alleged that the incident happened in Woodlands area on Wednesday June 14, 2023 between 16:00 hours and 18:00 hours.

When the matter came up for continuation of trial yesterday before magistrate Trevor Kasanda, the defence lawyer, Mr. Nkula Botha asked the court to adjourn the matter to a later date stating that his client was not in the country.

Mr. Botha said Mwamba was attending to a conference outside jurisdiction.

But the state objected to the application on grounds that the dates were well known by the defence lawyers and the accused.

In making her ruling, magistrate Kasanda said the dates where agreed upon and should be adhered to.

“Accused is out of jurisdiction and counsel and accused were present when dates were set for trial. Electing to ignore court dates is an act not to be allowed. The sureties are not here too. I do not find the reason given by defence satisfactory. The application is denied,” ruled the court.

The court has therefore adjourned the matter to February 8, 2024 for return of the bench warrant.