•FORMER Defence minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (in yellow jacket) with his sympathisers after appearing before Police at Lusaka Central Police Station yesterday. Picture by CLEVER ZULU

By KAIKO NAMUSA KASAMA-

Central Member of Parliament, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his operations manager at Arizona Marketing, Collins Mundai. The former Defence minister is expected to appear in court today to face an assault charge.

Mr Mwamba, commonly known as GBM, was initially expected to report himself to Matero Police Station but due to security concerns following unruly behaviour by a suspected anti-GBM camp, the matter was promptly transferred to Lusaka Central Police Station.

He appeared at Central Police Station around 11:00 hours and was led for interrogations which lasted for an hour after which he was formally arrested and released on Police bond with two working sureties in the sum of K5, 000. Mr Mwamba arrived at the Police station in a Toyota Corolla unlike in his usual luxurious Range Rover.

The MP, who was accompanied by his legal team comprising Sakwiba Sikota, Makebi Zulu and Martha Mushipe, confirmed to waiting journalists that he had been arrested and released on bond.

‘‘I have nothing to say now only that I was formally arrested for assault. My time to speak will come but for now I want to reflect on what has happened,’’ Mr Mwamba said.

Earlier, riot Police at Matero Police Station apprehended three suspects for unruly behaviour as a mob of suspected PF youths awaited the arrival of the former Defence minister.

The youth manhandled anyone suspected to be a GBM supporter but Police action managed to keep them at bay after teargas was used to restore order. Meanwhile, Mr Mundai, who was accompanied by his mother Agness, said he wanted justice to prevail and refuted political influence in the matter.

Mr Mundai complained that he had suffered mental and physical injury after Mr Mwamba allegedly beat him in full view of his workmates.

‘‘I am not being used by anyone. All I want is justice to prevail and Mr Mwamba to tell me why he beat me in front of other workers. He (GBM) took the law in his own hands,’’ Mr Mundai said.

His mother complained over the alleged misconduct of Mr Mwamba and asked for justice to prevail. Mr Mwamba allegedly assaulted Mr Mundai on May 14, this year and his appearance before Police was postponed twice.

He was earlier supposed to appear before Police on Tuesday last week but rescheduled to Friday and failed to appear because his legal team had other commitments in court.