The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has not yet issued consent to have the five Zambian Nationals facing Espionage charges undergo trial at the Lusaka High Court.
Chief state advocate Nkumbiza Mumba has informed the court.
In her application for an adjournment when the matter came up for plea, Ms. Mumba, however, says efforts are being made to have the consent issued by Wednesday November 15, 2023, when the matter comes up again.
Meanwhile, lawyers representing the accused people want the state to avail warn and caution statements to their clients when the matter comes up.
In this matter, Lusaka Businessman Shadreck Kasanda, Jimmy Belemu, Patrick Kawanu, Robson Moonga and State House security detail Francis Mateyo have been accused of entering a forbidden part of the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
The five were initially charged with five other Egyptian Nationals whom the state discharged through a nolle prosequi.
By Darius Choonya