PF drags Independent MP to court for the Party’s Chitenge material and a flag

Chipili Independent Member of Parliament Jewis Chabi has pleaded not guilty to one count of malicious damage in the Mansa magistrate court.

Mr. Chabi, 39, of Musenga Site and Service in Mansa district, appeared before Mansa Resident Magistrate George Mulenga facing one count of malicious damage contrary to section 335 of the penal code cap 87 as amended by Act number 17 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that Mr. Chabi on December 17, 2017, wilfully and unlawfully damaged a Chitenge material and a flag belonging the Patriotic Front (PF) party all valued at K250.

Before Mr. Chabi took plea, defence lawyer Musa Mwenye moved a motion for the court to quash off the charge under Section 90 (6) of criminal procedure court and section 137 of the same procedural court, saying the charge before court was not properly laid down.

However, in his ruling, Magistrate Mulenga said he considered the submissions by the defence lawyers but noted that what was cardinal in the matter was that the issue at hand as alleged in the indictment was clear.

Magistrate Mulenga then ordered for the case to proceed.

Mr. Chabi, who is being represented by advocates from Mwenye and Mwitwa Advocates of Lusaka, then pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The matter has since been adjourned to January 17 for mention and January 29, 2019 for commencement of trial.

Source: Lusaka Times