Pambashe member of Parliament Ronald Chitotela and his counterpart for Kawambwa Constituency, Nickson Chilanga have been found guilty of arson and malicious damage to property, respectively.
Chitotela’s sentencing for arson has been referred to the High Court as the crime attracts a prison term of a minimum 10 years, which is above the threshold of the Kawambwa Magistrates Court by which he was tried. Two other accused persons, Kunda Chitotela and Chabu Chitotela, found guilty of the same charges, equally await High Court sentencing.
Chilangwa, on the other hand, has been slapped with five years with hard labour for malicious damage to property.
The duo, both former ministers in the Patriotic Front (PF) administration, are accused of having burnt to ashes a vehicle, property of the UPND Luapula Youth Committee, during the 2021 general elections.
They have been appearing before the Kawambwa Magistrates Court alongside their co-accused persons, including Kalumba Chifumbe and Davy Kaniki, who have both received five years in jail.
