A total of 34 people, including nine juveniles, have appeared before the Chingola Magistrate’s Court in Zambia on charges of alleged riotous behaviour and damage to property after reportedly attempting to stone President Hakainde Hichilema last month.

The accused are alleged to have been involved in violent acts that occurred on November 8, 2025.

The 9 juveniles are aged between 12 and 16 years old.

They are facing five counts, including riotous behaviour and damage to property contrary to Section 81 of the Penal Code of the Laws of Zambia, as well as theft, arson and other related offences.

The matter came before Resident Magistrate Maybin Kapaya.

During the proceedings, the defence applied for bail, submitting that some of the accused are juveniles and that others have fixed residential addresses, making them unlikely to abscond.

However, the State Prosecutors opposed the application, arguing that the accused posed a flight risk, as police faced difficulties in apprehending them, with some arrested as far as Ndola District.

The State further told the court that the safety and security of the accused could only be guaranteed if they remained in custody.

Magistrate Kapaya adjourned the matter to December 17, 2025, while the accused remain in custody.

On 8 November, when Zambian President Hichilema visited Chiwempala Market following a fire that gutted the market earlier on 5 November 2025, his visit and address were interrupted after the suspects threw stones on the stage.

On Monday, after the court appearance of the accused, parents and guardians paraded themselves before available cameras to plead with Hichilema to exercise leniency and pardon the yet-to-be-convicted suspects.

Last month, a horde of youths at the same time staged a solidarity and apologetic march to the Republican president.