Two sureties remanded for failing to present PF spokesperson, Mwamba, in court

Two ward councillors, acting as sureties for Patriotic Front (PF) faction spokesperson, Emmanuel Mwamba, were remanded on Wednesday by Lusaka Magistrate Amy Masoja after failing to produce the accused in court.

Boniface Chibeka and Boniface Chipasha, despite pleading for more time, were ordered to pay a K10,000 fine each, with a 14-day jail term looming if the payment was not made.

Last month, the court was informed that Mwamba, who is currently in the United States, would return by March 4, 2025.

However, when the matter was heard again, Mwamba was still absent, and the state confirmed the bench warrant had not been executed.

Magistrate Masoja expressed dissatisfaction with the sureties’ failure to ensure Mwamba’s appearance in court, noting their explanations were unconvincing.

One of the sureties claimed power outages prevented them from producing proof of communication with Mwamba, but the magistrate found this insufficient.

Chipasha, who admitted to contacting Mwamba via WhatsApp, claimed he lacked the financial means to bring him back to Zambia.

However, the court emphasized the responsibility of sureties to ensure the accused’s presence, regardless of location.

The sureties’ request for an additional month to secure Mwamba’s return was met with skepticism.

Magistrate Masoja questioned the credibility of their assurances, stating, “What belief should the court take from the surety that he will return?”

The state argued Mwamba’s absence was a deliberate delay tactic and urged the court to act decisively.

Despite a plea for leniency from the defense, Magistrate Masoja remained firm, ordering the fines or two weeks in jail.

The case has been adjourned to March 24, 2025, for the continuation of the trial. Mwamba, along with co-accused Jacqueline Chopa, Gideon Tolopa, and Gift Kachingwe, faces charges related to disorderly conduct at Kabwata Police Station in February 2024.

PF Secretary-General, Raphael Nakacinda, was processing the release of the sureties by press time.

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