Pilato appears in Lusaka Magistrate court, remanded in custody

The civil society protestors that were arrested in September 2017, have finally taken a plea in the Lusaka Magistrate Court

The six pleaded NOT guilty to a charge of disobeying lawful orders before Lusaka magistrate, Mwaka Mikalile.

And satirical singer Chama Fumba alias Pilato will remain remanded in custody at Kamwala Remand Facility until May 27 when magistrate Mikalile will make a ruling on the restoration of his bail.

In this case, Alliance for Community Action Laura Miti, PeP president Sean Tembo, Zambia Council for Social Development executive director Lewis Mwape, Pilato, Bornwell Mwewa and Mika Mwambazi are charged with one count of disobeying lawful orders.

The accused were nabbed outside Parliament building in Lusaka on September 29, 2017, as they were protesting against government’s purchase of 42 fire trucks for $42 million.

The case stalled for months as one of the accused, Pilato, fled the country following alleged death threats he received after he released a song called ‘Koswe Mumpoto’.

After several adjournments, magistrate Mikalile issued a bench warrant against Pilato and the singer was nabbed immediately after arriving from South Africa at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Wednesday.

Taking plea today, all the six accused denied the charges.

Defense lawyer Keith Mweemba then made an application that Pilato’s bond be restored but the state objected.

Magistrate Mikalile reserved ruling to May 21st.