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Principal Resident Magistrate, Mambwe Mukonde, has referred the two-count sedition case involving former 2026 NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, to the High Court after ruling that the Solwezi Magistrates’ Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Citing provisions of the Subordinate Courts Act, Magistrate Mukonde said the High Court had jurisdiction to hear the case.
However, she clarified that she had no authority to determine whether the matter should be heard in Lusaka.
According to Diamond TV, the defence, led by lawyer Bonaventure Mutale, had challenged the Solwezi court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the alleged offences were committed in Lusaka and not Solwezi.
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The defence also sought permission for the accused persons to give oral evidence in support of the jurisdiction challenge.
Director of Public Prosecutions, Gilbert Phiri, opposed the application, arguing that it was not supported by law and that the issues raised were already covered by documentary evidence, including the accused persons’ warn-and-caution statements.
Magistrate Mukonde noted that the State had not disputed the contents of the statements or the defence’s assertion that the alleged offences occurred in Lusaka.
The matter had been scheduled for October 13, 2026, for a ruling on the preliminary issues, with the taking of plea and possible commencement of trial dependent on the outcome of the jurisdiction challenge.
The referral means the High Court will now handle the matter for further proceedings.
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