Witness testifies PF’s Mwamba was dragged, not assaulting officer

A witness has told a Lusaka court that Patriotic Front (PF) Information and Publicity Chairperson, Emmanuel Mwamba, did not assault a police officer as alleged but was forcibly dragged away by plain-clothed men claiming to be law enforcement officers.

Testifying before Lusaka Magistrate, Trevor Kasanda, Kingsley Mulombwe, a car wash manager, recounted the dramatic events of June 14, 2023, when Mwamba brought his car in for cleaning.

“A group of men arrived in unmarked vehicles and confronted Mr. Mwamba while he was waiting for his car,” Mulombwe testified. “They didn’t identify themselves initially. They just grabbed him.”

Mulombwe narrated how Mwamba attempted to contact his lawyer but was overpowered and dragged outside by the men, creating a commotion that attracted onlookers.

He added that bystanders attempting to record the incident had their phones confiscated by the men, who later identified themselves as police officers.

“They didn’t want the pictures to be published,” Mulombwe said, adding that he was also taken to police headquarters for questioning before being released after providing a statement.

The witness insisted that Mwamba did not resist arrest or assault anyone, maintaining that the accused only requested to speak to his lawyer.

Under cross-examination, Mulombwe affirmed that the men never presented identification before apprehending Mwamba.

The defense team plans to call four more witnesses when the trial resumes on January 13, 2024.

Mwamba, who has pleaded not guilty to the charge of assaulting Detective Inspector Simwenda Steven, continues to assert his innocence.

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