Kambwili detained as surety, Sampa, withdraws; charges dropped against co-accused

Chishimba Kambwili, appearing ill and wheelchair-bound before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court, was detained on Thursday after Patriotic Front (PF) faction president, Miles Sampa, withdrew as his surety.

Before Magistrate Kwame Mwamfuli, Sampa cited his demanding work schedule as the reason for stepping down as Kambwili’s surety.

“Due to pressure at work, being a surety has affected my job. I am in a parliamentary committee and frequently travel. I want to excuse myself from being a surety,” he explained.

Magistrate Mwamfuli accepted Sampa’s request and ordered Kambwili’s detention until a new surety was arranged. Later that day, Kambwili was released after securing a new surety.

The Magistrate had issued a bench warrant against Kambwili for failing to appear in court regarding a charge of unlawful assembly.

In a related development, the State dropped charges against Kambwili’s co-accused, Lusaka businessman Charles Chisanga Kakula.

Both individuals had been charged with unlawful assembly and riot under Section 74 of the Penal Code Chapter 87.

It was alleged that on January 26, 2023, in Lusaka, Kakula and Kambwili, along with others, unlawfully assembled with the intent to commit an offense or breach the peace.

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