Chingola | December 18, 2025 – The Chingola Subordinate Court has granted the National Prosecution Authority’s application to amend the indictment against 34 accused persons in the November 8. 2025 stone-throwing attack on President Hakainde Hichilema in Chingola. The amended charge sheet now formally includes the offence of Terrorism, which under Zambian law is non-bailable and carries a mandatory penalty of imprisonment for life upon conviction.

This case stems from violence that broke out during President Hichilema’s public address to residents of Chiwempala, including those affected by a recent market fire. Members of the crowd became aggressive, hurling stones at the stage and the presidential entourage. Security personnel intervened immediately, escorting the President to safety, as the unrest escalated into widespread chaos marked by arson and extensive damage to public property.

The accused persons who comprise 25 adults and nine children in conflict with the law, first appeared before the Chingola Subordinate Court on December 15, 2025, facing bailable charges of riotous demolition of buildings, structures and machinery, arson, and theft. Their defence counsel applied for bail for all accused persons. The State did not object to bail for the children but opposed the bail application made by the adult accused persons. The court adjourned the matter to December 17, 2025 for a ruling on the bail applications.

On December 17, Presiding Magistrate Honourable Kapaya granted bail to the nine children and denied the 25 adult accused persons bail under the original charges. Immediately afterward, prosecutors moved to amend the indictment to include the charge of terrorism, contrary to Section 19(1) of the Anti-Terrorism and Non-Proliferation Act No. 6 of 2018, as amended by Act No. 30 of 2024 and the court allowed the substitution.

Under Section 19(1) of the Act, a “terrorist act” includes, among other things, any criminal act that endangers life or causes serious property damage. A person convicted of committing such an act is liable to imprisonment for life. The amended indictment is a necessary measure to ensure that the law addresses acts that target the President and threaten public order.

With the substitution of the indictment, the terrorism charge now applies to all 34 accused persons. Defence lawyers for the children filed a fresh application for bail pursuant to Section 73(2) of the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022 which permits the court to consider bail for juveniles even in non-bailable cases. The State opposed the application, citing the seriousness of the amended charge, the risk of the children fleeing, and concerns relating to public safety. The court is expected to rule on this application on 22 December.

The NPA has reiterated that the decision followed a careful evidential review and emphasised its commitment to applying the law fairly and proportionately.