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Patriotic Front (PF) vice-president, Given Lubinda, has been acquitted after the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court found him with no case to answer on charges of failing to surrender a diplomatic passport and holding more than one passport.
On Monday, Magistrate Kawama Mwamfuli ruled that the prosecution’s evidence was discredited and agreed that Lubinda had no intent to break the law.
The court noted that Lubinda had voluntarily surrendered the passport when he discovered it, clearing him of any wrongdoing.
The court did not find grounds to place Lubinda on his defense, leading to his acquittal.
Lubinda, a former Justice Minister, had pleaded not guilty to the charges under the Passport Act No. 28 of 2016. He was accused of failing to surrender Diplomatic Passport No. ZN873367 to the nearest immigration office and holding two passports.
The allegations, dating between January 1 and October 26, 2023, suggested that Lubinda, without reasonable excuse, failed to surrender the diplomatic passport when requested by the Chief Passports and Citizenship Officer.
He was also accused of holding Diplomatic Passport Nos. ZN873367 and ZN943878, contrary to Section 22(1) read with Section 22(2) of the Act.
Following the court’s decision, Lubinda expressed relief, describing the case as politically motivated.
“When you have a politically motivated case and meet a magistrate or judge who sticks to the facts and law, you feel for them,” Lubinda remarked.
He praised Magistrate Mwamfuli for adhering to the law but raised concerns about potential repercussions for the magistrate under what he called the “dictatorship” of President Hakainde Hichilema.
Lubinda stressed that he had voluntarily returned the diplomatic passport after the 2021 elections and accused the authorities of unjustly arresting him to impress the president.
He claimed to have been harassed and victimised throughout the legal process.
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Despite the ordeal, Lubinda vowed to continue opposing the government, stating, “No matter how many arrests are made, we will not relent.
We shall continue to fight on.” He also called on members of the PF to support each other during these challenging times.
Lubinda’s acquittal comes amid ongoing accusations from opposition leaders of political persecution under the Hichilema administration.
Many PF leaders, including Lubinda, have faced legal challenges since the United Party for National Development (UPND) came into power in 2021.
The case had drawn significant attention, with some viewing it as part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures.
However, Lubinda’s acquittal may likely fuel ongoing debates over the legal and political landscape in Zambia.
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