Mucheleka Released But Given Fresh Charges

UPND Deputy Secretary General Patrick Mucheleka and three others have been cleared of charges of aggravated robbery by the Director of Public Prosecution, however they now stand accused of malicious damage.

In addition a fifth individual, Kevlin Bwalya, has also been indicted on the same charges. Mr Bwalya joins Mr Mucheleka and co-accused Elias Mubanga, Samuel Ngwira and Chisimba Bwalya on charges of destroying state property worth K83,097.

All five have plead not guilty to the accusations that they destroyed two typewriters and a printer in Kasama district, Northern Province. 

Mr Mucheleka’s lawyer immediately entered a plea for bail, which the Kasama Magistrate’s court has accepted in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Bail has been set at K10,000.

The court has since announced that the trial will take place on 26th and 27th November. 

Mucheleka and co. were initially arrested in September and charged with aggravated robbery after allegedly storming a mobile NRC registration office in Kasama. 

The four men have been held in custody since the 14th September. Footage has since emerged of the accused being flogged by prison officers, which the UPND described as ‘disturbing’.

UPND Patrick Mucheleka on his way to court