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The long-awaited trial of eight men accused of violent attacks at the University Teaching Hospitals (UTH) bus station has failed to take off after the State informed the court that it was not ready to proceed.
When the matter came up before Lusaka Resident Magistrate Webster Milumbe, all the accused persons were present and ready for trial.
However, the prosecution applied for an adjournment, citing the unavailability of key witnesses.
The court was told that the State had not finalised arrangements with the witnesses it intended to call and, therefore, could not commence trial.
The prosecution requested that the matter be adjourned to February 27, 2026, for the start of proceedings. The defence team did not object to the application.
In his ruling, Magistrate Milumbe granted the adjournment to February 27.
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.
They are charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 248 of the Penal Code. The State alleges that on January 9, 2026, the accused jointly assaulted Boniface Kateule, causing him bodily harm.
In a second count, Malambo and Mweemba are separately accused of assaulting Charles Bupe on January 14, 2026, also occasioning him actual bodily harm.
When called upon to plead earlier, all the accused persons denied the charges.
Their bail was extended.
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