Five pastors and three others were yesterday arrested and charged with unlawful assembly after they allegedly held a political meeting without notifying the police. The pastors are Lloyd Nsakanya, 46, Amos Kanyakula, 45, Justin Kiinda, 49, Patrick Sikazwe, 48, and George Palo, 54, all of Ndola.

Others are Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) head of programmes and research Chiko Mwiinga, communications officer Isaiah Mbewe and Musikani Hampongo of Lusaka. Copperbelt Commissioner of Police Charity Katanga confirmed the incident in an interview.
Mrs Katanga said the eight were arrested after they held a political meeting at Ndola Baptist Church without notifying the police.
She said the suspects will appear in court next week Friday.

“The eight were arrested yesterday and will appear in court next week Friday,” she said. She said the police exercised thier role as the group did not notify them of the meeting. And CTPD executive director Isaac Mwaipopo said the focus of the meeting was meant to share the centre’s reflections on the proposed 2019 national budget with faith-based leaders in the province.

He said over 50 faith leaders attended the meeting.