Maravi

Muvi TV cameraman opts for K30m in William's assault case

Muvi TV cameraman opts for K30m in William's assault case
By Joseph Mwenda
Wed 29 Aug. 2012, 10:30 CAT

MUVI TV cameraman Lloyd Kapusa has withdrawn the assault case against UPND president Hakainde Hichilema's adviser William Banda, after agreeing to a K30 million out of court settlement, general manager Costa Mwansa has said.

And police sources have disclosed that Monday's arrest of Banda was stage-managed to give an impression that the officers at Woodlands Police Station denied him police bond as directed by the command.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mwansa said Kapusa, who was nearly strangled by Banda, and his lawyers agreed to a K30 million settlement from Banda who was released from police custody around 18:00 hours.

"I left the young man and the lawyers to discuss. Yesterday Monday we told them that they should formally charge him (Banda), but the lawyers are saying they agreed that they should push for settlement," he said.

Mwansa explained that Kapusa was asked to decide Banda's fate.
"You know what happened before he was arrested? We pushed that matter to the lawyers but I told Kapusa that you also should do what you want to do. So it's like when they went to negotiate between his (Banda's) lawyers and our lawyers, they landed on some settlement.

I think they charged him some settlement… ranging over K30 million to the gentleman. But to the surprising turn of events, I just hear that bamugwila (they arrested him). So I am still waiting for Allan Mulenga (chief of security) and Kapusa to tell me what the outcome of that was. As it is now, there was no official withdrawal (of the case) unless they have done it this morning," explained Mwansa.

He confirmed that at the time when police were locking up Banda on Monday, the K30 million had already been paid to the Muvi TV lawyers.

"Ija yamene mwenzokopa mailo muchungulo (Those photos you were getting yesterday afternoon…), according to the information that I had, the settlement had already been done. Ija ndalama banabalipila ma lawyers bake (That money was already paid to his lawyers). But over the withdrawal of the case, inabwela yakanga (it failed) that's how come he was locked up.

I am waiting to hear what is being done because the matter was taken over by director administration Mr Tembo who is dealing with the lawyers. I will give you the correct figures this afternoon but what I was told is that it was nothing less than K30 million," said Mwansa.

Muvi TV was represented by Lusaka lawyer Milner Katolo while Banda was represented by Martha Mushipe.
Meanwhile, police sources explained that Banda's arrest on Monday was merely meant to show that he had been locked up when the case had already been withdrawn.

"Muvi TV was paid and they agreed to settle the matter out of court, but there were directives to have Banda locked up for that offence until today when he was supposed to be released on bond. So after you (reporters) left, Banda was released yesterday evening around 18:00 hours," sources said.

Banda attempted to strangle Kapusa last week for filming his arrest at Woodlands police in a different matter where he was charged for being in possession of property suspected to have been proceeds of crime.

Labels: MEDIA, WILLIAM BANDA

posted by MrK @ 2:39 PM