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| Tokota Boys leaving the Kitwe High Court after taking plea yesterday. -Picture by Mushota Mpundu |
The 19 suspected Tokota Boys this morning appeared for the first time in the Kitwe High Court.
Since they were arrested in May this year, the youths had been appearing before the Kitwe Magistrates Court for mention as they awaited for committal to the High Court by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Since they were arrested in May this year, the youths had been appearing before the Kitwe Magistrates Court for mention as they awaited for committal to the High Court by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The 19, who are mostly bus drivers, bus conductors, shop keepers and unemployed youths, appeared before Judge Timothy Katanekwa for plea.
The youths are jointly charged in three separate counts which could not be tried at the Magistrates Court following their arrest three months ago.
The Tokota Boys, some of whom were smartly dressed in suits and ties, pleaded not guilty to Acts Intended to Cause Grievious Harm, Unlawful wounding or Poisoning and Kidnapping or abduction.
The three charges rose from a a video where the gang members were seen beating a 16 year old boy of Mulenga Compound who they forced to eat his own faeces.
The three charges rose from a a video where the gang members were seen beating a 16 year old boy of Mulenga Compound who they forced to eat his own faeces.
The matter has been adjourned to Wednesday this week for possible commencement of trial.
In this case, the State is being represented by four state advocates Jinjimali Mpopwe Sililo, Mwangala Mwala, Dean Akalemwa and they are led by Acting Chief State Advocate Mercy Lungu.
The suspected Tokota Boys are being represented by only two lawyers from the Legal Aid Board Mwendalubi Kapukutula and Maria Nzala.
Meanwhile, Judge Katanekwa has set tomorrow as the date for an inquiry to ascertain whether one of the Tokota Boys gang members is 20 years old as claimed by the state.
This follows an application by the suspect who told the court, through his lawyers, that he is a minor.
Their appearance in the Kitwe High Court is separate from three other cases some of the 19 suspected Tokota Boys gang members are facing in the Kitwe Magistrates Court which are currently on trial stage.
Their appearance in the Kitwe High Court is separate from three other cases some of the 19 suspected Tokota Boys gang members are facing in the Kitwe Magistrates Court which are currently on trial stage.
And three men who are charged with causing death by dangerous driving have pleaded guilty before the Kitwe High Court.
The three, Kalonga Mtolo, Charles Mumbelunga, and Christopher Milandu, who appeared separately, are from Kitwe, Chambeshi and Chingola and their cases have been adjourned to Thursday this week for presentation of facts.
Meanwhile, in the Kitwe Magistrates Court, a 24 year old alleged Pastor has pleaded not guilty to one count of Defilement.
Alick Simbeye of Buchi Compound appeared in court this morning charged with Defilement of a child under the age of 16 contrally to section 16 chapter 138 of the Laws of Zambia.
When he appeared for plea before Kitwe Principal Magistrate Chongo Musonda, Mr Simbeye identified himself as a businessman as opposed to what he is known for as a Pastor.
The case has been adjourned to 20 August and the suspect has since been granted a 10 thousand Kwacha cash bail with two traceable surities.
Facts before the court are that Mr Simbeye of Buchi Compound had carnal knowledge of the girl in the early hours of 25 July this year.
The case has been adjourned to 20 August and the suspect has since been granted a 10 thousand Kwacha cash bail with two traceable surities.
Magistrate Musonda said the two surities should also be bonded for 10 thousand Kwacha each.
Mr Simbeye has since been remanded in custody as bail conditions are being sorted out.
