STATE DISCONTINUES UNZA STUDENTS IDLING CASE THE State on Friday withdrew the case in which 13 UNZA students were charged with idling and disorderly conduct when they protested in December last year. This is in a matter in which Patrick Zulu, a teacher of House No. 105 New Chirwa Railways in Kabwe and 12 others, were charged with one count of idling and disorderly conduct contrary to the Laws of Zambia. When the matter first came for plea in December last year, all the 13 accused denied having committed the offence. Zulu was jointly charged with Anold Chilembo, Boniface Zulu, Wamunyima Sibuku, MacDonald Chisele from Lilongwe, Malawi, Mutende Mukumba, Mukelabai Sitali, Mwelwa Musonko, Picken Chigoma from Chisi, Malawi, Luyando Miyanda, Mumba Chibesa, Lwamba Mulenga and a chef identified as Makukula, of Lusakas Mtendere township. Allegations were that the accused persons on December 12, in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together, conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace. When the case came up for continued trial before chief resident magistrate Joshua Banda, the State made an application that it was unable to continue with the matter and that it be withdrawn. The State said the prosecution team needed to put its house in order before it could seek continuation of trial. Magistrate Banda granted the application and discharged the 13 students and further warned that police would rearrest them on the same charges if the State came up with fresh evidence. Lastone Mwanabo, the lawyer representing the students said the withdrawal of the case was a relief for his clients adding that they would then be enabled to concentrate on their studies.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Jun 2014 23:46:07 +0000