By Paul Shalala
It was an unusual day for eight
teenagers of Kitwe’s Bulangililo township.
The tears in their eyes spoke
volumes.
What was sad was that most of
these teenagers are pupils at Ipusukilo Secondary School.
The group is suspected to be part of
the Sons Of the Devil (SOD) criminal gang which has been terrorising Kwacha, Bulangililo and Kamitondo townships.
The group, which numbers in the 30s, is suspected of being behind some killings, school break-ins, beatings and other crimes.
The eight suspects appeared in the Kitwe Magistrate's Court on Friday for aggravated robbery.
These are Alick Mvula, Elvis Chola,
Gift Chiyembe, Fashio Haluna and Saviour Mumba, among others.
It is alleged that on 13th
January, 2018 whilst acting together and armed with offensive weapons, the eight
stole K100 each from Benny Machinko.
Earlier, the teenagers pleaded with
the court to grant them bail because schools are opening on Monday.
But the court
refused them bail because the charge they are facing is not bailable and can only be
tried in the High Court.
Meanwhile, there was drama at the court as some parents of the accused.
This was when the teenagers were being
taken to Kamfinsa Correctional Facility after the matter was adjourned.
The parents, most of whom were female, could not control their emotions as they wept uncontrollably.
The matter has been adjourned to
February 2, 2018 as the court awaits instructions from the office
of the Director of Public Prosecutions for committal to the High Court.
This is the second time suspected members of the SOD are being arrested and taken to court.
In 2015, 16 members of the notorious gang were arrested and convicted by the Kitwe Magistrate's Court.
However, they were given suspended sentences as most of them were scheduled to write their Grade seven examinations.
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