By ALICE NACHILEMBE
In a recent development at Chingola Magistrate Court, nine individuals from the Gymnkana area have been handed a 12-month prison sentence for their contempt of court. These nine contemnors had defiled a court order instructing them to vacate land lawfully owned by Chingola Veterinary Doctor Emmanuel Chitambala.
Before Chingola Resident Magistrate Stephan Mabona, the accused individuals, namely Jackson Tembo, Kaka Kabwe, Micheal Musonda, John Kaputa, and Kangwa Simon, along with Enala Nakamba, Juliet Felele, and Mary Sampala, all of Gymnkana area, stood accused of encroaching on 30 of the 105 hectares of land allocated to Dr. Chitambala. Despite a prior court ruling on August 7, 2020, clearly stating that they were not the legal owners of this land, these individuals continued to occupy it, flagrantly ignoring the court’s directive.
Even after the court’s order on May 23, 2023, commanding them to vacate the land, they remained steadfast in their refusal to comply. Subsequently, the court granted leave to hear the plaintiff alone, as the defendants consistently failed to appear in court, despite receiving summons and several adjournments.
Magistrate Mabona, acknowledging that this was a criminal matter requiring evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven the case of contempt beyond such doubt. As a result, all the accused individuals were found guilty of contempt and subsequently sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment with hard labor.
Furthermore, it has been noted that the remaining squatters on the same piece of land have been given until September 13, 2023, to vacate their properties. Failure to do so will result in their imprisonment.
