By SYLVIA MWEETWA   –
A SCENE of hardcore criminals being transported from Kabwe High Court to Mukobeko Maximum Prison in an open van has left residents with fear.
Some residents said it was frightening to see condemned convicts serving sentences ranging from murder, aggravated robberies, rape, defilements and some on life sentences.
The scene happened last week as prisoners were transported to and from the Supreme Court appeal sitting in Kabwe.
Kabwe Mayor Richard  Bango said it was shocking to see  prisoners being transported  in such a  manner  and asked  the  prisons authority to engage other  law  enforcers  for secured escorts.
“I was equally shocked to see that suspects were being transported in an open van, I think that was a very serious security lapse considering that they were transporting prisoners serving serious offences,” he said.
A shop owner operating near the Kabwe High Court where the vehicle carrying the convicts passed said the sight of the criminals brought apprehension among residents who watched with fear.
Another concerned  residents  said  such security  issues  should not be left  to chances  because  most  of the people  taken to  court  could be daring considering that most of them  withdrew their  appeals  slapped  on them.
Meanwhile, of the 35 cases  lined up for appeal hearing against sentences and  convictions 20 appellants  opted to abandon the appeals  to  proceed hearing the matters  forcing the  courts to dismiss them.
Both cases were dismissed after they abandoned the appeals.