Zambia: Another opposition leader set free

By Obrain Mwiinga

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - A Zambian court on Tuesday has acquitted opposition leader Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba for lack of evidence of the charge of assault and malicious damage to property.

The United Party for National Development (UPND) vice president was accused of slapping supporters of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and caused damage to public property following last year's Aug. 11 general election.

The magistrate court based in Kitwe ruled that the evidence presented was not conclusive to warrant a conviction.

This marks the second acquittal involving senior UPND officials.

Last week, the Lusaka High Court acquitted five UPND supporters, including the capital's former province minister, Obvious Mwaliteta, arrested in connection with the disputed Aug.11, 2016 general election.