The alleged 'agitators' appeared in court in the provincial capital of Mongu on August 20 and were remanded in custody until September 3 when they will appear again. Police have indicated that these charges are preliminary as more could be on the way. They were rounded-up for having taken part in 'synchronised celebrations"'of the 'swearing in' of a separatist administration for the province. The ceremony was recorded on video.
The man, shown taking the oath in that video as Administrator-General - the head of the separatist transitional administration - Afumba Mombotwa - and the school teacher in whose house the ceremony was filmed - were reported to be on the run this week and police have called on them to surrender. The video shot on August 14 circulated widely on blog sites and showed Mombotwa taking the oath and making his inaugural speech. The next day, he released the cabinet list for the new government of the 'Kingdom of Royal Barotseland' as they want the state they seek to be known. He said the cabinet was made up of 'down to earth and approachable' people.
