PROMINENT Lusaka lawyer Mcqueen Zaza yesterday got rid of his long time client Munir Zulu when he withdrew legal representation in his seditious case.
Imagine being left high and dry at the altar, only to find out your partner had cold feet. That’s exactly what happened to Zulu in the courtroom. His lawyer, Zaza, abruptly abandoned ship the moment the case was called, leaving Zulu without legal representation.
To make matters worse, his other lawyer, Boniface Chiwala, was nowhere to be found.
Addressing magistrate Faidess Hamaundu, Zaza said he was representing Zulu together with his colleague Chiwala who was attending to a High Court session in Mazabuka.
Zaza indicated that he was doing away with the Lumezi constituency member of parliament, on his clientele list.
“On my part, I wish to excuse myself from representing the accused person for professional reasons. I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause today,” Zaza said.
State advocate Victor Choongo was displeased that Zaza was withdrawing from the case without informing the State to ensure that judicial time does not go to waste.
“In our view, we cannot force counsel to represent the accused. Our concern is on the prejudice we may suffer in any event that the accused applies to this court to adjourn for non availability,” he said.
Magistrate Hamaundu took note of the development and allowed Zaza to excuse himself.
Zulu was forced to request for an adjournment to allow Chiwala enough time travel back to Lusaka and represent him.
Chongo opposed the application saying he had a witness who is almost due and wants her to testify in the matter before she proceeds on maternity leave.
Zulu said ; “it was not by design that Mr Chiwala is attending a matter in the High Court. It is now that I know that the witness is pregnant which I have no control of. I seek your indulgence that the matter be adjourned to a date after tomorrow which is not too far.”
Magistrate Hamaundu in ruling on the matter said she had taken note that most adjournments have been occasioned by the State and gave Zulu a benefit of doubt by adjourning the case to Friday November 15.
She directed that she will proceed to hear the matter on the said date with or without Zulu’s lawyers.
In this caes, it is alleged that the parliamentarian between May 25 and May 27, 2024 in crying out over the disappearance of his friend Emmanuel Jay Banda, accused President Hakainde Hichilema of instructing the Inspector general of police and the Minister of Home affairs and Internal Security to wipe him out together with others unknown, to raise discontent or disaffection among the people of Zambia.
Zulu is also alleged to have declared Eastern province a no go area for Southerners in attempts to promote feelings of ill will or hostility between different communities or different parts of a community.
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba November 13, 2024.
