A BUSINESSMAN has been dragged to court for allegedly recruiting 10 people he wanted to train as militia and use them to overthrow Government by assassinating President Edgar Lungu, service chiefs and other officials. Mwangala Ngalande, 58, of Roma in Lusaka, is also accused of having planned to assassinate Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini and other senior government officials.

Others he is accused of having planned to kill are Minister of Defence Davies Chama, Chief Justice Irene Mambilima and First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala. Ngalande, who is believed to be a sympathiser of an opposition political party, has been charged with treason.

Between August 1 and December 1 last year, Ngalande allegedly prepared or attempted to overthrow a legitimately elected government by unlawful means. In the first overt act, it is alleged that over the same period, Ngalande conspired with Simon Njobvu to buy AK47 assault rifles, pistols and rocket propelled grenades.

He allegedly wanted to use the military equipment to kill the head of State and other officials. In the second overt act, it is alleged that Ngalande conspired with Mr Njobvu to source for and obtained US$1.6 million foreign financing which was to be used in executing the illegality. In the third overt act, Ngalande is accused of having recruited 10 people for military training for purposes of overthrowing government. Yesterday, Ngalande appeared before Lusaka chief resident magistrate Lameck Mwale for explanation of the charge.

After the charge was explained, Magistrate Mwale informed Ngalande that he would not take plea because treason is only tried in the High Court. Ngalande’s lawyer Martha Mushipe then applied that a preliminary inquiry be instituted into the matter. Ms Mushipe said the court is mandated to hold a preliminary inquiry into the case to establish if there is enough evidence warranting the matter to be committed to the High Court.

She further applied that the court orders correctional facility officials to allow her to access Ngalande. “The defence has had no access to the accused to get instructions since his incarceration on November 26, 2019 because he is being held excommunicado,” Ms Mushipe said. But State prosecutor Juvenalis Kamutondole said he was unaware that the defence had limited access to the accused.

In his ruling, Magistrate Mwale ordered that a preliminary inquiry be instituted into the matter. He further ruled that the defence be accorded access to Ngalande. The matter was adjourned to Friday next week.