15 students from Chipata Trades Training Institute in Eastern Province who were accused of damaging property worth K216, 000 have been acquitted by the Chipata Magistrates court Philip Mpundu.

The incidence occurred on June, 11, 2018, contrary to the Penal code act Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

The state called six witnesses to prove their case of whom non of them identified any of the accused to have participated in the riot.

Although Magistrate Mpundu said it was not in dispute that a riot occurred at Chipata trades, but that the offenders are not known.

When delivering the ruling, Magistrate Philip Mpundu said he had carefully considered the evidence brought before the court by the state.

He said the state had failed to establish a premafacie case beyond any reasonable doubt against the accused and acquitted them all.