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Ex-Zambia minister's supporters attack newsmen at court hearing
[Daily Nation (Kenya)] Supporters and relatives of a Zambian ex-minister, who appeared in a Lusaka court in connection with $412,000 found buried at his farm, assaulted four photojournalists after the court session today.Former Minister of Labour Austin Liato, a trade unionist-cum-politician, at whose farm Sherlocks found Zambian Kwacha 2.1 billion (about $412,000) cash buried underground, pleaded not guilty "Wudn't me." to a charge of receiving or retaining stolen property. Supporters and relatives of Mr Liato confronted photojournalists that were taking photographs of the former minister after Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda released him on a Zambian Kwacha 50 million (about $9, 900) bail. The pro-Liato mob hurled insults at journalists and beat up Times of Zambia's Richard Mulonga, Zambia Daily Mail's Mackson Wasamunu, Muvi Television's Mabvuto Phiri, The Post's Joseph Mwenda and police officer, who wanted to pacify the situation. At least two suspects were apprehended. During the court procession, prosecutors alleged that between September 1, 2011 and November 24, 2011, Mr Liato received and/or retained about Zambian Kwacha 2.1 billion knowing or having reasons to believe the same to have been feloniously stolen, taken, extorted, obtained or disposed of. Mr Liato denied the charge. The former minister applied for bail, which was granted to him for about $ 9, 900. The Magistrate ordered Mr Liato to surrender his passport to the court and provide two working sureties. Posted by: Fred 2011-12-02 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=334454 |