Laura Miti and five others acquitted

The Lusaka Magistrate Court has acquitted Alliance for Community Action Executive Director Laura Miti  and five others of the charge of disobeying  a lawful  order when they went ahead to stage a demonstration at parliament against government’s purchase of 42 fire tenders at a total cost of US$42 million.

Those acquitted together with Ms Miti include musician Chama Fumba popularly known as Pilato,Patriots for Economic Progress President Sean Tembo, former Zambia Council for Social Development Executive Director Lewis Mwape,Bornwell Mwewa and Miaka Mwambazi.

Delivering judgment in the matter, Principle Resident Magistrate Mwaka Mikalile said the six were within their rights to convene at the national assembly for a demonstration over the fire engines.

Magistrate Mikalile noted that the accused did what was required of them by duly notifying the police seven days before the protest, adding that their demonstration was peaceful.

She said there was no basis therefore for the police to stop them, pointing out that the republican constitution gives every citizen the right to assemble.

Magistrate Mikalile ruled that the police therefore acted unprofessionally by stopping the protest.