By RABECCA CHIPANTA –
THE 28 suspected United Party for National Development (UPND) members who were arrested in Kasama, Northern Province, after being found in possession of petrol bombs and other dangerous weapons, on Monday appeared in the Kasama magistrate’s court.
The suspects, who were apprehended last week at UPND vice-president for administration Geoffrey Mwamba’s residence, were granted bail with two sureties.
According to court documents, the 28 appeared for mention before magistrate Bartholomew Kaongo.
Following an application by defence lawyer Mulilo Kabesha, who stated that the suspects were of fixed abode and all residents of Kasama, Mr Kaongo granted them bail on condition that they each pay K500 cash and produce two working sureties with K500 to be paid by each surety.
This is in a case in which Chisha Chewe and 27 others on July 20 conducted themselves in a way likely to cause a breach of the peace.
Other offences included assault on police officers, malicious damage to property, and being in possession of offensive weapons.
In the fourth count, the 28 could not take plea as the offence of making and being in possession of offensive weapons required a directive from the Director of Public Prosecutions for the State to proceed with it.
Mr Kaongo set August 18, this year, as the date for mention and August 31 and September 1 for possible mention and trial.
