THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court is set to rule on August 18, 2025, whether Patriotic Front (PF) faction Secretary General Raphael Nakacinda has a case to answer in a hate speech matter.
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The decision will follow the state prosecutor Michael Nundwe’s announcement that the prosecution has closed its case.
Nakacinda has pleaded not guilty to one count of hate speech.
The case, which began in 2023, involves allegations that he uttered words in a local language, translated as: “You know what you did you Zambians it’s very bad, you went to pick the worst and complete ignorant of a Tonga from Bweengwa and then went to dump in State House.”
These words are alleged to express or show hatred, ridicule, or contempt against the Tonga Speaking People of Bweengwa, Southern Province, due to their place of origin and tribe.
During the trial, the prosecution presented several witnesses.
Moses Kokela, 36, a peasant farmer from Kalumbila district, testified that he reported Nakacinda’s case to the Solwezi Central Police.
Kokela stated he felt injured and divided after watching a video of Nakacinda uttering the alleged hate speech.
Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Mbewe told the court he arrested and charged Nakacinda for uttering words he believed were meant to divide the country.
Mbewe stated that Nakacinda’s words against President Hakainde Hichilema did not sit well with him.
He explained that the arrest and charge took place in Solwezi because the complainant was from the area.
Mbewe said he had all reasonable ground to believe that the words used amounted to hate speech against the Tonga speaking people from Bweengwa.
He further clarified that he arrested Nakacinda after receiving a complaint from Bruce Kanema, who, along with friends, presented a video of the alleged hate speech.
“Kanema and his friends presented a video, I watched the video attentively and the content did not sit well with me,” Mbewe testified.
He added that Kanema provided a link to the video from Facebook, which he then sent to the police service headquarters Cybercrime unit for forensic examination, extraction, and preservation.
Mbewe confirmed that the video was authenticated and was recorded in Kabulonga, Lusaka, during an interview.
He also stated that he extended his investigations by sending the video recording to the University of Zambia’s School of Social Sciences, Department of Languages, for interpretation.
“I read the report and the conclusion suggested that the author of the video described negatively; On the head of state, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, the government of Zambia and the tribe which is Tonga, in particular people from Bweengwa. And these can polarise the country,” shared Mbewe.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba July 13, 2025
