6 youths convicted of illegal land allocation

SIX Lusaka youths have been convicted by the Lusaka magistrate’s court for illegal allocation of land.

Shadreck Mumba, 27, Phillip Mwanza, 21, Richard Phiri, 24, Ackim Mwanza, 26, Clement Kamwandi, 30, and Clive Mweemba, 27, all of Lusaka’s Kanyama Township were facing one count of criminal trespass.

Facts on October 16, last year the six unlawfully entered the premises of Zama Mkwamadzi with intent to destroy his property.

They had pleaded not guilty and the prosecutor Sheria Miselo called five witnesses to testify   before Magistrate Emmie Masoja Mbewe.

However, before the magistrate could deliver ruling yesterday, the accused changed their plea to guilty.

The youth also refunded Mr Mkwamadzi his K3.8 million which he spent to pay officers from the Ministry of Lands to help him retrieve his documents relating to his plot.

When asked what they wanted to do with the plot, they said they wanted to demarcate it and share the plots amongst themselves in order to build their own houses.

Mr Mbewe then convicted the six on their own admission of guilt.

Mr Mkwamadzi in his testimony said on the material day, he was woken up by noise from the youth, who claimed to be cadres from the ruling Patriotic Front.

They beat up his two nephews and rushed to Kanyama police post where he reported the matter. Police managed to apprehend the six upon arrival at the scene.

Judgment has since been reserved to January 29 this year while the six have been remanded in custody.