OPPOSITION Patriotic Front (PF) member of the Central Committee and former Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili has been handed a five-month prison sentence for hate speech by Kasama Magistrate’s Court.

In this case, Kambwili, 54, of house number 9, Wisteria Avenue, Luanshya was charged with the offence of expressing hatred and ridicule of the persons based on tribe and place of origin.

Kasama Resident Magistrate Samson Mumba found Kambwili after the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubts.
And in mitigation, Kambwili who spoke through his lawyer told court that he was a first offender, a family man and a person who previously served the nation as a cabinet minister.

He also urged the court to take into consideration his health.

In sentencing Kambwili, Magistrate Mumba said he took into account the mitigation.
He however said he sentenced Kambwili to five months imprisonment to deter would be offenders.

Meanwhile, after judgement was passed, Kambwili’s lawyer Kaizara Tembo told journalists his client will appeal against the verdict.

“Currently we are making efforts to lodge in an application for bail pending appeal,” he said.

Kambwili has since been transported to Milima Correctional Facility in Kasama.

(Mwebantu, Thursday,  30th November, 2023)

A JOURNALIST has been arrested for alleged offence of seditious practices.

Thomas Allan Zyambo 50 of plot number 25311 of Mosi-O-Tunya road in Woodlands has been arrested and charged with the offence of Seditious Practices Contrary to Section 57 (1) (c) as read with section 60 (1) (e) of the Penal Code Act Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

According to police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga the offence is alleged to have been committed on October 18, 2023 in Lusaka through a Facebook page known as Zambian Whistle blower.

He said jointly and while acting with others unknown, Mr Zyambo allegedly published an article with seditious intentions with a view to raise discontent or dissaffection among the people of Zambia.

“The accused is detained in custody. Police are waiting for the accused to meet the Police bond conditions for him to be released,” he said.

(Mwebantu, Thursday, 30th November, 2023)

TWO academicians, Professor Muna Ndulo of Cornell University and Dr O’Brien Kaaba from the University of Zambia, have raised serious concerns regarding recently entered consent judgments, describing them as potential avenues for fraud and corruption.

Professor Ndulo and Dr Kaaba have questioned the legitimacy of the settlements, pointing to either a lack of sound legal justification or awards with significantly inflated legal costs.

They are dismayed at the apparent inaction of oversight institutions, particularly the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which they believe should play a pivotal role in safeguarding public resources.

In their joint statement, the have scholars cited specific cases, such as that of Kaizar Zulu, where they argue that there was no moral or legal basis for the state to compensate individuals injured in his private capacity.

“For example, in the case of Kaizar Zulu, it is clear he was not acting on behalf of the state and there is no moral or legal justification whatsoever for the state to compensate those he injured in his private capacity,” the two stated.

Professor Ndulo and Dr Kaaba have called an immediate halt to certain consent judgments, suggesting that certain cases may be pursued for personal gain, constituting corruption within the State Chambers.

“We are also concerned that in some cases the lawyers representing concerned individuals and those in State Chambers have previously had personal connections, raising questions about conflict of interest and the credibility of the negotiations and the protection of public interest in these settlements.”

They called on President Hichilema to critically assess his legal team, urging the dismissal of individuals involved in what they perceive as questionable dealings.

(Mwebantu, Thursday, 30th November, 2023)