Munir case judgment fails, again
By Esther Chisola
THE Lusaka High Court has for the second time failed to deliver the judgement in the case in which jailed former Lumezi member of Parliament Munir Zulu is challenging his one-year sentence.
When the case came up for judgement yesterday before Justice Bonaventure Mbewe, the court informed Zulu that it was not yet ready.
“Matter for hearing of appeal judgement. But I regret to inform that judgement is not ready, but I will do my best to deliver it next week,” Justice Mbewe said.
He deferred the case to July 24.
Zulu filed a petition in the Constitutional Court challenging the legality of the proceedings at the subordinate court where he is charged with libel.
He argued that the proceedings were unconstitutional because the alleged offence was committed at the National Assembly grounds where he enjoyed immunity under the laws and privileges of the House.
Zulu contended that section 76(1) and (2) as read with Sections 3 and 4 of the Constitution stated that a member of Parliament had the freedom of speech and debate in the National Assembly and that freedom should not be ousted or questioned in a court or tribunal.
He had named the Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha as first respondent, Director of Public Prosecution Gilbert Phiri as second respondent and Davies Chibwili in his capacity as a presiding magistrate as the third.
Earlier, the State had asked the court to dismiss the case in which Zulu had sued the State challenging the legality of the proceedings at the subordinate court where he was charged with libel.
