A Lusaka magistrate has issued a bench warrant for Patriotic Front (PF) Information and Publicity Chairperson Emmanuel Mwamba after he failed to appear in court for the continuation of his trial on charges of disorderly conduct.
Magistrate Amy Masoja granted the warrant on Tuesday after Mr. Mwamba’s absence was noted in court. He and three co-accused—Jacqueline Chopa, 49, Gideon Tolopa, 42, and Gift Kachingwe, 32, all businesspersons—are jointly charged with one count of disorderly conduct at Kabwata Police Station, an incident that allegedly took place on February 27, 2023.
During the hearing, one of Mr. Mwamba’s sureties informed the court that the opposition figure is currently in the United States and is expected to return to Zambia on March 4, 2025. Despite this, Magistrate Masoja scheduled February 26 as the date for the return of the bench warrant and ordered Mr. Mwamba to appear before the court.
Mr. Mwamba, a vocal critic of the Zambian government and a prominent figure in the PF, has not publicly commented on the court’s decision. The case has drawn attention amid heightened political tensions in the country, as the opposition continues to challenge the policies of President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration.
The trial will continue as the court awaits Mr. Mwamba’s return.
Politically motivated, if you asked me. Although Mwamba is a known yellow journalist, he still has a right to be wrong.
As usual. Zulu,.bench warrant. J J, bench warrant. Mwamba, bench warrant. The opposition has no right to say anything critical. All have had to face warrant of arrests issued against them. Zabwino Palibe. Typical of UPND using police and the wigged lot to advance their agenda.
Typical of PF lawlessness
A whole term spent on bench warrants.
The judiciary has no terms.
MUZAMBIAN
When the president appoints a justice minister and parliament accedes to it, that is the start of a term of the judiciary. They work in a regime and have to work according to a policy provided. Right now is the UPND.
So true but most cant see it
Once again some will wake up when its too later
Mwamba If I were you I would stay in the US. Its safer than in Lusaka
All they know is politics of………
Lies , insults , false accusations, inciting hatred , tribal friction and violence, wanting to incite riots and civil disobedience…….
What kind of opposition are they ??…….
Yet they claim dissatisfaction with the high cost of living and load shedding, yet…….
They can’t articulate matters without the aforementioned………????
I don’t understand
If that is all they can do, expect UPND to rule for at least 30 to 40 years……..
FWD2031