By LUCY PHIRI
CHISHIMBA Kambwili has been put on his defence in a caser in which he is facing charges of defamation of the President.
The Lusaka Magistrate court has set April 1, 2022 for defence in a matter in which former National Democratic Congress Party President Kambwili is accused of defaming former President Edgar Lungu. Kambwili is charged with one count of defamation of the President contrary to section 69 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
When the matter came up, his defence lawyer asked for an adjournment to enable him harmonise with his client and intends to bring two witnesses who are based in Luapula.
“We also want to harmonise ourselves with court records, we are seeking for an adjournment so we can be able to proceed with our witnesses on the same date,” he said.
The State had closed the matter after calling various witnesses to testify and placed Kambwili on his defence. He is appearing before Chief Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale.
It is alleged that between August 26 and 27, 2019 in Lusaka, Kambwili with intent to bring the name of the President into hatred, ridicule or contempt, published an insulting matter by word of mouth.
He is alleged to have said: “Noti ishi imbwa shabantu yaleikala fye ku Chawama elo yamona ste ati ntandale icalo, eko baita fye kuya. Kuti washo umutengo wabunga balelwa 150 waya? Kumona fye abantu abika kuti wabula Kampyongo, ati Minister of Home Affairs? Kuti Chaba Chalo? Ba Kaizer Zulu.
Okay bane (not these people who are like dogs who used to stay in Chawama when it saw State House decides to move all over the world, whenever it is called, it goes. Can you leave the price of mealie meal with people fighting at K150 you go? You can even see the people he appoints. How do you appoint Kampyongo as Minister of Home Affairs? Can it be a country? Ba Kaiser Zulu. Okay guys).”
Previously, the arresting officer in the matter testified that the alleged defamatory words uttered by Kambwili against President Lungu were not fit to be used on a human being.
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