Court to try civil rights activist, Changala, over alleged seditious utterances

Civil rights activist, Brebner Changala, has been found with a case to answer in a sedition case and is set to open his defense on October 7.

Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate, Davies Chibwili, made this ruling on Tuesday, concluding that the statements allegedly made by Changala, which were played repeatedly in court, could be interpreted as seditious.

Changala denied making the statements, which reportedly accused the government of involvement in criminal activities and potential terrorist acts against its own citizens.

Magistrate Chibwili ruled that these utterances could have incited disaffection against the government, as defined by law.

Under Section 207 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Changala was instructed to present his defense.

His legal team had announced that he would give sworn evidence and call four witnesses, although they are not yet prepared to commence the defense.

The case centered on comments Changala allegedly made in May 2024 regarding the disappearance of Petauke Central Member of Parliament Emmanuel Banda.

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