LUSAKA chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili has declined to free Munir Zulu of libel, saying he has failed to prove that the accusations he made against two government ministers and RDA board chairman, were part of parliament proceedings.
Magistrate Chibwili has directed that the Lumezi lawmaker will proceed with his defense.
Zulu had asked the Court to set him free on grounds that his bribery accusations against Minister of finance Situmbeko Musokotwane, his infrastructure counterpart Charles Milupi and Road Development Agency (RDA) board chairman Muchland Kuntawala, were made within the precincts of parliament.
He said the Court had no powers to adjudicate over a matter emanating from his sentiments made within parliament grounds.
In his defense Zulu said he made the statement at the media centre which is within parliament.
He denied causing the publication of t defamatory words, arguing that it is the media that to published his accusations.
Ruling on the matter, magistrate Chibwili said; “The accused so far has not shown nor demonstrated that the press conference he addressed and the words complained of were part of the proceedings in the National Assembly or Standing Committees.”
He said Zulu was charged accordingly and he cannot question the powers of the Court to determine his case, as the constitution clothes it with the mandate to determine criminal cases.
“The defence’s application is accordingly dismissed for lack of merit and I rule that this court has jurisdiction to hear and determine this matter,” said magistrate Chibwili.
He adjourned the case to January 30, 2025 for continuation of defense.
Kalemba December 19, 2024.
