By 
Lumezi independent Member of Parliament, Munir Zulu,has been granted bail pending trial in a matter he is charged with defaming two government ministers.
Last Friday, Lusaka Chief resident magistrate, Davies Chibwili revoked Munir’s bond and ordered his detention for absconding court hearings. He was also fined K200 for contempt of court.
When the matter came up on Tuesday for ruling on his bail application, Magistrate Chibwili exercised discretion and granted him his prayer in his own recognition in the sum of K200,000 with two working sureties.
The two sureties would be bound in similar conditions in their own recognition in the like sum of K200,000 each .
“Having considered all the above and taking into account the accused person’s absence at the last instance which was partly due to his counsel ‘s ill advice as confirmed by themselves and given what the accused has gone through, I am of the view that he now fully appreciates the importance of not only attending court but doing so in time. It is now clear to him that the consequences of behaving otherwise will be swift and costly in his part,” he said.
Read more: Lumezi lawmaker, Zulu, still detained, to appear in court Tuesday
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 $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 $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 US$150,000.00 to Milupi two days before the appointment as a board chairman for Road Development Agency (RDA).
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