Ndola Mayor Kalyati Appears in Court Over Alleged Gun Threat

Kalyati, 49, a businessman of Kansenshi and district chairperson for the Patriotic Front (PF) in Ndola, is accused of threatening to shoot a resident during a dispute over land.

According to court records, the incident allegedly occurred on January 24 when Kalyati, while armed with a firearm, reportedly threatened to kill Alexander Mwamba during a confrontation at a site where community members were digging a foundation for shops.

When the case came up for trial before Magistrate Brian Simachela, a pastor from Bible Doers’ Church and Ward Development Committee member for Dag Hammarskjold Ward, Christopher Mushinga, testified on how the incident unfolded.

Mushinga told the court that he was monitoring construction works authorised by the planning director at the Ndola City Council when Kalyati arrived at the site and began recording people using a mobile phone.

He alleged that while filming, Kalyati accused those present of being cadres from the United Party for National Development (UPND) involved in illegal land activities.

Mushinga further testified that Kalyati then confiscated tools being used at the site, including a hoe, shovel and pick. When he and Mwamba approached the mayor asking him to return the tools, Kalyati allegedly produced a firearm and pointed it at Mwamba.

“He removed a gun and pointed it at Alexander Mwamba and said ‘I will kill you’, forcing him to surrender,” Mushinga told the court.

The witness added that Kalyati later went to the PF secretariat in Dola Hill, where the two men again attempted to retrieve the tools but he allegedly refused to come out of the office.

The matter was reported the following day at Twapia Police Station.

Magistrate Simachela has since adjourned the case to March 11 for continuation of trial.

Kalyati previously appeared before the same court in 2024 on a separate charge of allegedly threatening his wife, Bernadette Mwape, with an AK47 rifle but was later acquitted.