THE Lusaka Magistrates Court has placed vocal political commentator Brebner Changala on his defense, providing him an opportunity to prove his claims that government was sponsoring terrorism activities and that it had a hand in the 48-hour disappearance of Petauke member of parliament Emmanuel Jay Banda in May this year.
Lusaka chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili said accusing the Government of having a hand in criminal activities and possible terrorist acts against its own citizens maybe viewed as a prima facie.
The civil rights activist is accused of having incited the public to revolt against government when he alleged that the State was sponsoring terrorism after the disappearance of Jay Jay Banda.
Changala was charge with seditious practices contrary to Section 57(1) (b) as read with section 60(1) (b) of the Penal Code chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia for his utterances.
It is alleged that Changala between May 25, 2024 and May 28, 2024 uttered seditious words when he said that ; “this information is from the tracking because this vehicle is installed with a tracking device and it is very clear that this kind of behaviour can only be done by State sponsored criminals, and this is a direct accusation.
“In recent days, we have seen that this Government has become intolerant, intolerant where it has moved the State and the State machinery to assault the very citizens they are supposed to protect, the very citizens that gave them the mandate to govern, and govern within the boundaries of the law.
I am seeing an emerging trend of state sponsored anarchy, if not state sponsored terrorism. Let’s monitor this situation as hours starts building … We are not going to sit idle,” Changala was quoted as saying.
Law enforcement officers were of the view that, the words were aimed at bringing government into hatred or contempt or stir up disaffection against the Government as established by law.
Ruling on case to answer magistrate Chibwili said the words having a seditious insinuation, have the effect of causing disaffection against the Government as by law established.
“I find the accused with a case to answer and accordingly put him on his defence in accordance to Section 207 of the CPC,”ruled magistrate Chibwili.
Changala indicated that he will give sworn
evidence and call four witnesses.
He will open his defense to October 7.
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba September 11, 2024.
