Former president Rupiah Banda’s son Andrew yesterday pleaded not guilty to two counts of unlawful wounding contrary to the laws of Zambia.
In the first count Andrew, who is jointly charged with a Katete based MMD cadre Thokozani Banda is alleged to have unlawfully wounded Listead Phiri on September 5, 2013 in Katete.
In the second count Andrew and Thokozani are alleged to have
unlawfully wounded Grevazio Tembo in Katete on the same day.
Chipata principal resident magistrate Twambo Musonda who is handling the matter in the Katete Magistrate Court granted Andrew and Thokozani a 15, 000 Kwacha bail each in their own recognizance with two working sureties in the sum of 10, 000 Kwacha each.
Magistrate Musonda adjourned the matter to October 11, 2013 for mention and October 28 and 29 for commencement of trial.
Earlier the state discontinued Andrew’s case but later police officers from Katete police station rearrested him and charged him with the similar offence.
When the case came up for plea in the morning, state prosecutor, Wisdom Hatimbula who is also Deputy provincial Prosecution officer applied for the discontinuation of the matter.
Hatimbula said the application came as a result of the apprehension of another person who was alleged to have participated in the commission of the offence that Banda was also charged with.
By press time Banda and Thokozani were trying to meet the bail conditions.
Andrew is being represented by a Lusaka lawyer Makebi Zulu.
The two were escorted to the court by a group of MMD cadres.