By Mwala Kalaluka
Fri 26 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
RUPIAH Banda's son, Andrew, was yesterday detained at Lusaka's Woodlands Police Station in connection with allegations of defaming President Michael Sata in public utterances he made in Chipata recently. Andrew's lawyer Milner Katolo said yesterday that his client, with two others, allegedly defamed President Sata.
Andrew, who had just finished giving his defence in a matter where he is facing a charge of solicitation of two per cent payment for every current and future contract that was to be awarded to Italy's Fratelli Locci, was picked up within the Lusaka Magistrates' Court premises by a team of police officers.
Andrew was in the company of Katolo and some family members when the plain-clothed police officers asked him to accompany them to Woodlands Police Station, where they said there were some people waiting for him.
Andrew asked the police officers to allow him a few minutes to discuss with his sister and they responded in the affirmative.
"Surely, a gentleman like me can't run away," said Andrew as he walked towards his sister within the court parking lot.
But within a few minutes, the police officers followed him and asked him to get into a motor vehicle that was parked in the vicinity.
When he pleaded for more time, the police officers dragged him to the vehicle amid complaints from family members and sympathisers.
He was immediately whisked away to Woodlands Police Station, where he was told to remove his shoes, belt and other valuables before he was taken into the cells.
Asked what was happening, Andrew responded: "Kuti defamation of the President kwa Chipata they are saying I defamed the President in Chipata."
Katolo said Andrew had not been charged yet but that police officers from Chipata were on their way to Lusaka to pick him up and take him there to be formally charged.
He, however, described the manner in which his client was manhandled by the police as disgusting.
Andrew's sister said her brother had not been feeling well lately and had been sleeping the whole morning yesterday.
Labels: ANDREW BANDA, MILNER KATOLO, RUPIAH BANDA
posted by MrK @ 5:25 PM
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