Saboi Imboela pleads not guilty
NATIONAL Democratic Congress leader Saboi Imboela has pleaded not guilty to one count of offences injurious to the public in general.
Imboela, 45, of Lilayi appeared before Lusaka Magistrate Sylvia Munyinya and denied committing offences injurious to the public in general contrary to Section III of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that Imboela, on unknown dates but between September 9, 2022 and September 10, 2022, in Lusaka with other persons unknown, with intent to defame did publish defamatory matters against Mr Clayson Hamasaka on a Facebook page called Saboi Imboela – SI.
Meanwhile, the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court has committed two suspected abductors of 13 girls in Chalala to the High Court for trial.
James Mulenga, 22 and Matthews Sikaonga, also aged 22 are facing 53 counts of aggravated robbery, human trafficking, assault, and rape contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
When the matter came up for mention and possible committal, magistrate Trevor Kasanda committed the two to the High Court.
“Upon receipt of the certificate of committal from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution I commit the accused persons to the High Court for trial,” said the magistrate.
It is alleged in counts one to four that between June 18 and October 3, 2022, Mulenga and Sikaonga in Lusaka, armed with an iron bar, stole a Tecno phone valued at K2, 000, an Itel cell phone valued at K950, another Itel small phone valued at K120, one small bag valued at K60.00 and cash money amounting to K25, 400.00 from one of the abducted ladies.
It is alleged in count one that Mulenga and Sikaonga, on unknown dates but between June 18, 2022 and October 3, 2022 in Lusaka while armed with an iron bar, did steal one Techno pop cell phone valued at K2, 000, one Itel cell phone valued at K950, one Itel small phone valued at K120, one small bag valued at K60.00 and cash money amounting to K25, 400 from an unnamed girl and at or immediately before or immediately after the time of stealing did use or threaten to use actual violence on the said girl to obtain or retain, or prevent or overcome resistance to its being stolen.
In count two, it is alleged that Mulenga and Sikaonga, on unknown dates but between June 18, 2022 and October 3, 2022 in Lusaka did have carnal knowledge of the unnamed girl without her consent.
Details in count three are that Mulenga and Sikaonga on July 18, 2022 in Lusaka did traffic an unnamed girl within Zambia for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
It is alleged in the last count that Mulenga and Sikaonga, on dates unknown but between September 14, 2022 and October 3, 2022 in Lusaka did assault an unnamed girl thereby occasioning actual bodily harm to her.