The Chingola Magistrate Court has adjourned to January 15, 2026, for mention a matter involving 34 people charged with terrorism, arson and riotous behaviour in connection with the November 8, 2025 incident at Chiwempala Market.
The adjournment followed the late arrival of one of the juvenile offenders who was recently granted bail, together with his sureties, prompting both the defence and the State to apply for an adjournment.
Presiding over the matter at Kamfinsa Correctional Facility in Kitwe, Resident Magistrate Maybin Kapaya warned all children in conflict with the law and their sureties against absconding or coming late for court proceedings, stating that failure to comply would result in the revocation of bail.
Earlier, Magistrate Kapaya dismissed an application by the defence to treat one of the accused, Chinoya Chimwanga, as a child and grant him bail.
Defence lawyer Gavi Nyirongo had argued that the accused gave an incorrect age to arresting officers due to confusion at the time of arrest.
However, the State opposed the application, submitting that the National Registration Card and the under-five card presented before the court contained conflicting dates of birth, with alleged alterations noted on the under-five card.
The court ruled in favour of the State and declined to treat the accused as a juvenile.
The nine children in conflict with the law remain on bail, while the 25 adult accused persons remain on remand after their bail application was denied.
By Lovemore Sondashi
