Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) 23 Barotse activists charged with treason

23 Barotse activists charged with treason
Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 13:56

Twenty three advocates of the restoration of the 1964 Barotse agreement, among them a 92-year-old man have been slapped with treason charges by a Lusaka magistrate Sharon Newa.

Among the accused were Mututwa Mututwa 92, Mutakela Mutakela 57, Simbango Simbango 18, Muyangana Muyangana, Imasiku Mutangelwa 56, and Wamulumwi Mwiya who told the court that he was a witch doctor.

Reading out the charge to the accused, magistrate Newa explained that they had been charged with treason, (which if found guilty would face up to life sentences or death penalties).

She told the accused that they would remain in custody awaiting a directive from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) before being committed to the High Court where they would take plea.

Details of the matter are that between October 1, 2010 and January 14, 2011, while acting with other persons unknown, being Zambian Citizens, in Lusaka, Mongu and Senanga, the 23 people attempted to takeover Western Province which is a part of the Republic of Zambia by force with intensions to set up “Barotseland” as an independent State.

Magistrate Newa has set February 2, 2011 as date for mention and that all accused persons would remain remanded in police custody.

Labels: BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT, TREASON

posted by MrK @ 7:23 PM