By JOHN SAKALA
The 14 men led by a Chinese who were arrested for unlawful drilling have been found with a case to answer and have been put on their defence.
Chingola Magistrate Martin Namushi says the state has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and the court has established a prima facie case against the 14 men and put them on their defence.
Mr Namushi said the prosecution’s evidence that 14 men were also found with air guns could not be ignored.
And Liang Bin Giang who chose to give sworn evidence in his defence told the court that he was a photographer who came in Zambia on March 16, 2019 for business opportunities.
Giang said he is involved in online advertising, so he recruited 13 muscular Zambians from the gyms to pause as security guards.
He said he was then shooting the videos of them and sending them to his country to attract business investors from China.
When asked what the guns were for, he said they were for video demonstrations.
He denied having been involved in the drill saying he had no military background.
Appearing before the court was Giang with 13 Zambians facing one count of unlawful drilling while Giang was also given another count of being in possession of fire arms.
Particulars of the offense are that Bin Giang 32, of Makeni Lusaka, James Banda 20, of House number 26 Andrew Mwenya road Chiwempala, Martin Chinyama 25, H No. 61 Kanongesha road Chiwempala, Samson Sinkala 19, of 82/B11 Kamba Drive Nchanga North, Joseph Phiri 23, and Isaac Phiri 25 both of 12 Lwele road Chikola.
And Kellison Kapasa 27, of 4 Kazunga Street Nchanga North, Bruce Simukonda 23, of 39 Old Airport Nchanga North, Muloiso Mkandawire 23, of 12 pine Kabundi North.
Others are Albert Mwansa 23, of 6956 Lupando Street Nchanga North, Elias Mwale 21, of 25/35 Makeni Lusaka, Sydney Mupeta 26, of KB8 Kafue Makeni Lusaka, Arthur Sinkonde 28, of Namwala Street Nchanga North, Pintu Boniface 31, of NC4 Namwala Street Nchanga North, On July 16, were being drilled in weapon training without authority.
They have all denied the charges.
Defence continues on October 23, 2019.
