FIVE pupils yesterday pleaded not guilty to charges of murder in the Kitwe High Court.

The pupils, two of them in Grade eight and three in nine have been accused of murder in separate cases.

The four aged 15 and one aged 14 are jointly charged after they allegedly murdered Elvis Soneka whom they beat with an umbrella on August 10 last year.

It was alleged that the four beat the deceased at Nakadoli Market in Chimwemwe Township after he advised them against using abusive language in public.

The other juvenile also aged 15 was accused of murdering Moses Mwelwa on September 29, last year after beating him with an iron bar in another matter.

All the juvenile offenders denied the charges before High Court Judge Judy Mulongoti.

The juveniles are remanded in custody and are being represented by assistant senior legal aid counsel Kateule Chitupila.

The matter comes up today for hearing.

In the same court, two police officers yesterday pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.

Daniel Kapambwe, 40 and Moses Chinga, 23, both of Kamfinsa police camp have been charged with manslaughter after they caused the death of Wesley Mpundu on September 1, last year.

The duo is accused of allegedly shooting the deceased who was suspected of driving a stolen vehicle.

The matter comes up for hearing tomorrow.