UPND CADRES FACE MURDER CHARGES

By CHARLES MUSONDA Nine suspected United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres have been charged with the murder of two Patriotic Front (PF) members in Lusaka’s Kanyama compound last month. The accused persons are Samson Mumba, Kelvin Banda, Andrew Banda, John Mwanza, and Njekwa Puteho. Others are Reuben Nalikana, Mwendalubi Namushi, Elijah Kawewe, and John Bwalya. They are accused of murdering Danny Kasongo and Davies Kabunda on July 30, 2021 after raiding a PF camp in Kanyama’s Mbasela area. Lusaka Principal Resident Magistrate Jennifer Bwalya yesterday allocated the case to Magistrate Sanford Ngobola but the accused persons were not brought before court for explanation of the charge. They are still remanded in custody.According to Lusaka province police commissioner Luckson Sakala, who confirmed the accused persons’ arrest, police recovered offensive weapons among them machetes, knives, slashers, hammers, a wheel spanner, catapults, marbles, and lighters. They are scheduled to be appearing in the Lusaka Magistrates Court for mention until the Director of Public Prosecutions issues a certificate of committal committing them to the High Court for trial.