Minister of Justice Mulambo Haimbe has dispelled assertions that murder-charged Patriotic Front (PF) deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri’s continued detention is irregular.
According to a report published by the Zambia daily mail, Haimbe said contrary to the insinuations, Ms Phiri, like any other person charged with murder, a non-bailable offence, will be taken to court for trial at a scheduled session before a judge.
The minister, who is a lawyer and state counsel, told journalists yesterday that the politician is facing a capital offence and, like many others in her situation, is awaiting appearance before the High Court.
“There is a process that is called ‘cause list’ based on a first in, first out [basis] for all persons facing non-bailable offences, so she will come before an appropriate session of the High Court when that time comes for the case to be heard,” Mr Haimbe said.
February this year, Ms Phiri and Shebby Chilekwa, who was former president Edgar Lungu’s barber, were arrested and charged with the murder of Lawrence Banda in Kaoma in 2019.