Some UPND Members Formed ‘Crack Squad’, Witness
By Hector Simfukwe
The Lusaka Magistrate Court has heard that Lawyer Martha Mushipe and other UPND members formed a crack squad whose objective was to cause violence against the State and citizens ahead of the 2016 elections.
A witness Bernard Phiri says the meeting to plan how the violence was going to be carried out was attended by UPND members who included, Clayson Hamasaka, Emmanuel Chilekwa and Ephraim Shakafuswa at Ms Mushipe’s law firm in Lusaka.
Mr. Phiri said during the meeting Ms Mushipe prepared an oath of secrecy which was administered to those in attendance as a commitment that they will not disclose what was discussed to anyone.
He told Lusaka Magistrate Felix Kaoma today that Ms. Mushipe and others also came up with coded names in order for the police not to identify them during the course of the operation.
Mr. Phiri said he later searched Ms Mushipe’s law firm in Lusaka where he found an alleged seditious document and the oath of Secrecy which was administered to those who were in attendance.
The witness further told the court that Emmanuel Chilekwa confirmed to have attended the meeting in question in 2015.
Mr. Phiri said Mr. Chilekwa also confirmed to have signed the oath of secrecy during the same meeting.
The witness also identified the documents that were seized from Ms Mushipe’s Law firm regarding the matter at hand.
The documents included the oath of secrecy which had names of Clayson Hamasaka, Emmanuel Chilekwa, Nchimunya Siamujaye and Ephraim Shakafuswa among others.
During cross examination the witness said the document does not show who administered the oath of secrecy, but it shows those that took the oath.
In this matter, Ms Mushipe is charged with One count of seditious practice.