Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader Kasonde Mwenda has denied charges of unlawful assembly and escaping from lawful custody.
Mwenda, maintained before the Lusaka Magistrates Court that he and his fellow opposition leaders were unfairly charged.
He explained that on March 10, 2023, he and other opposition leaders, including New Heritage Party president Chishala Kateka and Golden Party president Jackson Silavwe, had gathered at the Civic Centre to deliver a petition to the District Commissioner’s office.
The were petitioning the government’s decision to construct the Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway using a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Mwenda claimed that the police had been informed of their intentions through a formal letter, but no response was received.
Upon arrival at the Civic Centre, the group was met with a large police presence, and Mwenda alleged that the police had instructions to stop them from delivering the petition.
The EFF leader denied that the gathering was unlawful, stating that they had followed the necessary procedures and had not disrupted business or traffic in the area.
He also disputed the charge of escaping from lawful custody, claiming that he had voluntarily presented himself to the police and had not attempted to flee.
The case has been adjourned to December 30 for the continuation of Mwenda’s defense.
