Magistrate to rule on Hichilema’s treason charge

HH waves at supporters after court trial

Lusaka Magistrate David Simusamba is this afternoon expected to make a ruling on the issues raised on UPND president Hakainde Hichilema’s treason charge before him.

Magistrate Simusamba will pass verdict on the efficacy of the treason charge and also guide on the certificate of committal to the High Court that is being challenged by Hichilema’s lawyers.

The defence lawyers are aguing that the Magistrate should be allowed to complete the inquiry to determine whether the case has merits to be sent to the High Court for trial.

Hichilema will spend the whole day in court today as he has been appearing before Magistrate Greenwell Malumani this morning in a case he is charged for using insulting language. This case trial begun yesterday.

The UPND Strongman has been in police custody April 11, 2017 after he was apprehended following a raid of his residence in the night of April 10 by state security following a presidential motorcade saga in Mongu during the Koumboka ceremony.