Lumezi lawmaker, Zulu, still detained, to appear in court Tuesday

Munir Zulu, Independent member of Parliament for Lumezi Constituency, is still in detention at Lusaka central prison (Chimbokaila) pending ruling on his bail application before Lusaka magistrate court.

This was after Chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili revoked Zulu’s police bond stating that he had been missing court.

Chibwili also ordered one of his sureties, Milenge independent member of parliament, Gystave Chonde, to forfeit K100,000 bond amount for failing to avail the accused person before court.

He also fined Zulu K200 for contempt of court after he failed to appear before him on June 27, 2023.

When the matter came up on Monday for a ruling on his bail application which his lawyers made in the previous sitting, the court said trial could not commence because there was no electricity and water at the Lusaka magistrate premises and cells hence no accused was brought.

“There is no electricity and water at premises and at the cells hence all the accused persons in custody where not brought, they will be brought tomorrow,” he said.

In this matter, Zulu is facing three counts of Libel Contrary to Section 191 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

It is alleged in count one that Zulu on March 21, 2023 in Lusaka, with intent to defame, unlawfully did publish defamatory matters against Situmbeko Musokotwane by way of a press conference in which he alleged that Musokotwane corruptly received money amounting to US$250,000.00 through a bank transfer from unknown company.

In count two, it is alleged that on march 21, 2023 in Lusaka, with intent to defame, unlawfully did publish defamatory matters against Charles Milupi by way of a press conference in which he alleged that Milupi corruptly received money amounting to US$250,000.00 through a bank transfer from unknown company.

It is alleged in the last count that Zulu on March 21, 2023 in Lusaka, with intent to defame, unlawfully did publish defamatory matters against Mulchad Kuntawala by way of a press conference in which you alleged that Kuntawala corruptly sent money amounting to $150,000.00 to Milupi two days before the appointment as a board chairman for Road Development Agency (RDA).

Magistrate Chibwili adjourned the matter to July, 11 for ruling on bail application.

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