Judge threatens to eject candidate from Zambian election trial
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Diggers
Zambian judge Willie Sinyangwe threatened to eject Sibeso Sefulo, the defeated UPND candidate in Mwandi, from Mongu High Court after an allegedly disruptive intervention during a witness hearing. The case concerns an electoral petition, with testimony referring to cash handouts and a 1,000-kwacha donation to a choir, according to Diggers.
Judge Willie Sinyangwe on Wednesday threatened to eject Sibeso Sefulo, the unsuccessful UPND candidate in Zambia’s Mwandi constituency parliamentary elections, from the Mongu High Court. He accused her of interfering with a witness during the hearing of her electoral challenge, Diggers reports.
During the trial, Regina Likando, 49, a choir secretary at the United Church of Zambia, said she voted for Iris Kaingu after Kaingu gave 1,000 kwachas to the choir. Likando acknowledged that this constituted an act of bribery. Questioned by Kaingu’s lawyer, Isaac Simbeye, she also said she had received and spent money distributed by Mapulanga Kanyemvu to voters queuing on 13 August.
The hearing concerns Sefulo’s petition challenging the result of the Mwandi election. The court is hearing testimony about the distribution of money and actions that may have influenced the vote.
