Court orders PF Publicity chairperson, Mwamba, to surrender his passport

Lusaka Magistrate, Trevor Kasanda, has ordered PF Information and Publicity chairperson, Emmanuel Mwamba, to surrender his passport to Court.

Magistrate Kasanda, however, cautioned the State for referring to Mwamba as a flight risk.

The Court further revoked the bench warrant issued against the accused after he apologized for missing the session on January 31, 2024.

This was in a matter, Mwamba was alleged to have assaulted a police officer, Detective Inspector Steven Simwanda on June 14, 2023, in the due execution of his duty.

Mwamba, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence.

When the matter came up for return of bench warrant, the trial Magistrate was informed by Detective Inspector, Kenneth Mwamba, that the accused was before court.

The accused apologised to the court for his absence and stated that he had to call off his trip in United States where he was attending a conference which ends on February 20, 2024, to adhere to the court’s order.

“I ensured that I was at Court at 8:00 hours. I wish to sincerely apologize, permission could only be granted by you, not any other party. I wish to pledge that I will be at court whenever you need me. I wish to apologize to my sureties for not personally informing them,” he stated.

His sureties, Mukela Sitali and Mufulira Central Member of Parliament, Golden Mwila equally rendered their apologies for missing court.

Mwamba’s lawyer, Makebi Zulu apologised and requested the Court to give them a benefit of doubt of what happened.

Magistrate Kasanda revoked the bench warrant and ordered for the accused to remain on police bond.

The State made an application that Mwamba’s passport be surrendered to court stating that he was a flight risk.

“I agree with the defense the word “flight risk ” was profusely used, nothing on record to say that he was flight risk.

But I order that the accused surrender the passport to the Clerk of court and take it whenever he wants to travel,” Magistrate Kasanda ordered.

The matter was adjourned to March 18, 2024.

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