Court finds ZANAMA officials with a case to answer

Court finds ZANAMA officials with a case to answer
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Tue 18 Jan. 2011, 04:00 CAT

FIVE Zambia National Marketeers’ Association officials accused of murder have been found with a case to answer.

This is in a case where Penias Phiri, George Daka, Peter Mbale, Mwiza Mwanangwa and Patrick Mataka who are Zambia National Marketeers Association ZANAMA (officicials) were accused of murdering a Chisokone market trader. It is alleged that the five in 2010 jointly murdered Charles Chola.

Making her ruling yesterday, Kitwe High Court judge Judith Mulongoti said from the evidence adduced so far, she was satisfied that the prosecution had managed to establish a prima facie case in respect of all the five accused persons.

“A prima facie case has been established which requires the accused persons to make a defence. I therefore find them with a case to answer,” said judge Mulongoti.

The matter was adjourned to January 27, 2011 for commencement of defence.
Chola’s death sparked a riot in early 2010 which led to the burning of the ZANAMA office within Chisokone market.