Binwell sedition trial set for October 13
By Esther Chisola
THE trial of independent Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu is expected to open on October 13 after he pleaded not guilty to a charge of seditious practices.
Mpundu 42, is facing one count of seditious practices contrary to section 57(1) (b) as read together with section 60(1) (i) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
When the matter came up for the presentation of consent to prosecute and possible plea before magistrate Webster Milumbe, the State informed the court that consent had been received and they were ready to proceed.
Mpundu took plea and denied the charges.
It is alleged that on December 20, 2024 in Lusaka, he published seditious words as follows:
“DEFEND YOURSELVES WITH EQUAL MEASURE. Fellow citizens I am out of the country and I have received this report of the attack on Mr Sean Tembo and team by Trevor Mwiinde and team with so much pain in my heart.
Trevor Mwiinde is the man reported to have been behind the abduction of Hon Jay Jay Banda and walks free because the police cannot touch him and today he’s reported to have led an assault on Mr Tembo right in front of the Luapula Commissioner of Police Mr Yuyi Mwaya.
I can only say this to my fellow politicians, one thing is very clear that we are on our own and it’s time we got ready to start defending ourselves with equal measure. I urge my fellow politicians to buy guns in readiness to defend yourselves.
Look, the law provides for self defence when you are attacked and so if the police will watch you being attacked and are prepared to even facilitate for that attack as being reported then only one thing remains.
BE READY TO DEFEND YOURSELVES. May God save Zambia.”
These words are deemed to incite violence or any offence prejudicial to public order or in disturbance of the public peace.
Magistrate Milumbe adjourned the case to October 13 for trial.
