Three witnesses have testified how some people allegedly failed to vote in Chililabombwe constituency on August 13 due to alleged violence in some polling stations.
This is in case where former Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe, has petitioned the election of Nsofwa Lupele as Chililabombwe Member of Parliament on account of violence and corruption.
During cross examination before Kitwe High Court Judge-in – Charge, Judge Lastone Mwanaabo, Patricia, Bweupe 38 of G11 Mine Area in Chililabombwe narrated that she was viciously attacked by assailants that trailed her with her colleagues after voting.
Ms Bweupe also narrated that cadres allegedly from Mr Lupele’s camp had put logs and rocks on the road to the polling station and threatened to beat up people going to vote, a situation she alleged instilled fear into the voters who were ready to vote.
“Many people did not vote in my own home because of how badly I was beaten” She narrated.
However, in cross examination by the two respondents’ legal teams, it was established that the medical report stated that the witness had no visible injuries and appeared normal contrary to her statement which stated that she was badly injured, the disparity which she agreed to.
The legal team also established that the witnesses lied that she received medical treatment on August 13 the very day she was attacked when infect she was treated on 18th August according to the doctor’s medical report the inconsistent she admitted before court.
Another witness Peter Musonda 31, of residential area W533, Lubengele in Chililabombwe also narrated that he was attacked by unidentified people after delivering food to the UPND Polling Staff at Chitobaula Polling Station.
Mr Musonda said he would love to see the results nullified as the elections in the constituency were not fair as other people were scared to go and vote after he was beaten.
However, during cross examination, Mr Musonda’s witness statement differed from the doctor’s report where he said he was badly injured and the body parts that were affected and treated as the doctor’s statement showed that he was normal and was not treated for some injuries he stated in his statement.
The respondents’ legal team also wondered why he only went to the hospital for treatment on 18th August after obtaining a police report on August 13, an action which was common among all the four witnesses examined so far.
In this case, Mr Kabuswe sued Mr Lupele as first respondent and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) as second respondent.
Trial continues tomorrow.
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