Eight men, including several bus drivers, have pleaded not guilty to charges of assault following a violent clash between bus drivers and suspected criminals at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) bus station in Lusaka. The incident, which occurred about two weeks ago, left one victim with serious injuries.
The accused persons are Raphael Mwanza, a taxi driver of New Kasama; Special Moonga (36), a barman of Bauleni Township; Odrisco Malambo, a bus driver of Mtendere Township; Victor Kabali (35) of Bauleni; Leonard Chikwaka (32), a bus driver of Mtendere; Gilbert Phiri (40), a bus driver of Barlastone area; and Ceasar Mweemba (42), a bricklayer of Bauleni.
According to the charge sheet, all eight are accused of jointly assaulting Borniface Kateule on January 9, 2026, thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.
In a second count, Malambo and Mweemba are alleged to have jointly assaulted Charles Bweupe on January 14, 2026, also occasioning him actual bodily harm.
The accused appeared before Lusaka Magistrate Webster Milumbe, where they entered pleas of not guilty. Their lawyers subsequently applied for bail pending trial, arguing that the accused have fixed abodes and are not flight risks.
The defence further submitted that the men had been in custody since January 9, 2026, at Central Police Station, and undertook to comply with any conditions set by the court.
The prosecution did not object to the bail application, provided the accused adhere to the conditions imposed by the court.
Magistrate Milumbe granted bail in the sum of K20,000 each, with two working sureties of Lusaka, also bound to the same amount, in their own recognisance.
“Until you meet bail conditions, you remain in custody,” the magistrate said before adjourning the matter to February 2, 2026, for commencement of trial.
