Court grants bail to eight men charged for riotous conduct, assault in UTH bus station fracas

Eight men accused of taking part in a violent confrontation at the University Teaching Hospitals (UTH) bus station that left two bus drivers seriously injured were yesterday granted bail after denying charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Appearing before Lusaka Resident Magistrate, Webster Milumbe, the accused listened calmly as the charges were read out, each responding with a firm denial.

The men—who include taxi drivers, bus drivers, a businessman and a bricklayer—are alleged to have jointly assaulted Boniface Kateule on January 9, 2026, during what police described as a chaotic clash at the bus station.

Two of them, Odrisco Malambo and Caesar Mweemba, face an additional charge for allegedly assaulting Charles Bupe on January 14, 2026.

Through their lawyer, the accused applied for bail, telling the court they had been detained at Central Police Station for several weeks and had no intention of absconding.

The prosecution did not object to the application.

In his ruling, Magistrate Milumbe granted each of the accused bail of K20,000 in their own recognisance, with two working Lusaka-based sureties required for each.

The matter has been adjourned to February 2, 2026, after the prosecution informed the court that it was not ready to proceed.

The accused are Raphael Mwanza, 41, a taxi driver of New Kasama; Special Moonga, 36, of Bauleni; Odrisco Malambo, 27, a bus driver of Mtendere; Victor Kabali, 35, a businessman of Bauleni; Leonard Chikwaka, 32, a bus conductor of Mtendere; Gilbert Phiri, 40, a bus driver of Barlastone; Caesar Mweemba, 40, a bricklayer of Bauleni; and Mateyo Sakala, 53, a bus driver of Mtendere.

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