By NCHIMUNYA MIYOBA
The Kitwe Magistrate has reserved ruling in a matter in which a Kitwe based business Daniel Makina has applied for a preliminary inquiry in the matter in which he is jointly charged with a taxi driver from Chililabombwe for allegedly stealing copper cathode valued at K1.8 million.
Makina 35, who was Patriotic Front (PF) 2016 aspiring candidate, is jointly charged with Chipili Chilufya 32, for aggravated robbery contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Makani and Chilufya on August 28, 2018 in Kitwe attacked Rajab Bashid Magwila with Pistols and used violence to steal the copper cathodes.
When the matter came up for mention in Kitwe Magistrate Court today, Makina applied for preliminary inquiry to be heard in the magistrate court before the matter is committed to the High court.
Makina made his application through his advocates Mukumbi and Company, Leonard Lane and Partners and Nyirongo and Company who argued that the client had over stayed in custody.
The defence argued that their client had stayed for more than a month in jail an indication that the prosecution had shown lack of seriousness.
Magistrate Chipinda Chipamu reserved ruling and adjourned the case to Monday next week.
Meanwhile ZNBC camera person Kashete Sinyangwe was harassed by overzealous Makina supporters in court grounds who wanted the camera from him.
Mr Sinyangwe was only saved by two courageous prosecutors who rushed to the scene.
The prosecutors explained to the overzealous supporters that journalists are allowed to film and take photos of anyone around court grounds.
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