Chishimba trial stalls as defence seeks more time

The courtroom drama surrounding Joseph Chishimba’s alleged publication of false information claiming that President Hakainde Hichilema impregnated his aide, Chipo Mwanawasa, paused on Thursday after the defence informed the court it was not ready to proceed.

Chishimba, 49, of Lusaka’s Jack Compound, is appearing before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court for allegedly publishing false information in contravention of Section 54 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021.

He is accused of circulating social media claims suggesting that President Hichilema had impregnated his aide, Chipo, daughter of the late third Republican President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa.

When the matter came before Principal Resident Magistrate Idah Phiri, defence counsel Kelvin Bwalya Fube (KBF) told the court that the defence had altered its strategy.

He explained that under fresh instructions, Chishimba would testify on oath and call four witnesses.

He, therefore, applied for an adjournment, saying the defence required adequate time to prepare and needed a full day for the hearing.

However, the State opposed the application, arguing that the defence had not provided sufficient justification for a postponement.

State prosecutor Mildred Muchimba said the accused was already before court, and under such circumstances, the law required him to testify first before calling witnesses.

Fube indicated that the defence team had only resumed operations at the law firm earlier in the week and had not yet conducted a pretrial conference.

Magistrate Phiri ruled in favour of the defence, citing counsel’s candour, and adjourned the matter to March 27.

In earlier testimony, Chipo Mwanawasa denied ever having a relationship with the President and told the court that the allegations subjected her to harassment, trauma, and reputational damage, despite her efforts to maintain a respectable public image.

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