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Days after receiving a one-year prison sentence for defaming two Cabinet Ministers, embattled Lumezi Member of Parliament Munir Zulu is preparing for yet another court ruling—this time on charges of seditious practices.
Senior Resident Magistrate, Faides Hamaundu, has set May 20, 2025, as the date for judgment in the sedition case.
However, before that, Zulu will return to court on April 30 for a separate ruling before Magistrate Trevor Kasanda.
Read more: Witness admits to being UPND cadre in sedition case against lawmaker Munir
Defence lawyer, Boniface Chiwala, officially closed Zulu’s case on Tuesday, paving the way for the court’s decision.
Among the defence witnesses was Kennedy Chanda, Director of the Governance Enhancement Initiative, who accused authorities of applying the law selectively.
Chanda claimed that while ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) supporters were allowed to insult former President Edgar Lungu without consequence, Zulu is being prosecuted for calling out such behavior.
“I saw videos where UPND youths were insulting President Lungu in police presence,” Chanda testified. One such video, he said, featured a man identified as “Chama America,” threatening that Zulu’s seat would soon be vacant.
Chanda also cited other footage showing UPND-aligned cadres allegedly threatening citizens who complained about rising fuel prices. “Why are those who insult ECL never brought to book, while someone like Zulu is facing charges for calling out such behavior?” he asked.
However, during cross-examination, the prosecution cast doubt on Chanda’s impartiality.
“Do you support the Patriotic Front?” he was asked. “Yes, I do,” he replied.
He further admitted he had no proof the people in the videos were UPND members, nor had he reported the incidents to police. He also conceded that “there is no justification” for one offence to excuse another.
Chanda said his interest in the case stemmed from concerns over fairness and the rule of law. “It concerns me as a citizen when a Member of Parliament cries out for help and the state chooses to target him instead of those breaking the law,” he said.
Zulu is accused of delivering a seditious speech between May 25 and 27, 2024, in Lusaka, where he alleged that lawmakers were being abducted and their homes attacked under the current administration.
“The worst of the Patriotic Front—we never witnessed a Member of Parliament being abducted. We never saw a lawmaker’s residence being burnt down. But under your methodical best, Mr. President, an MP has disappeared. A house has been burnt. And we know there’s a list,” Zulu reportedly said.
He is charged under Section 57(1)(e) and (f) of the Penal Code, which prohibits statements intended to incite public discontent or hostility among communities.
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