Africa-Press – Zambia. The Director of Public Prosecutions has issued instructions to have Patriotic Front Member of the Central Committee Raphael Nakacinda prosecuted in a case he is accused of defaming President Hakainde Hichilema and expressing hate and ridicule against another tribe.
Last year in April, police in Solwezi arrested Nakacinda, 43, and charged him with two offences of defamation and expressing or showing hatred, ridicule or contempt. This was after a member of the public, Bruce Kanema, filed a complaint against him alleging that he defamed President Hichilema in a video widely circulated on social media.
When the case came up today, the court heard that instructions to have the accused tried are ready. But the accused could not take plea because his lawyer was not available. The accused is scheduled to take plea on March 6, 2023 before Lusaka Magistrate Idah Phiri.
Meanwhile, Economic and Equity party president Chilufya Tayali has pleaded not guilty to inciting to mutiny Contrary to Section 48 subsection (a) of the Penal Code and communication of certain information Contrary to Section 4 (3) of the State Security Act Chapter 111 of the Laws of Zambia. It is alleged that between March, 2022 and April 2, 2022, using social media, did seduce persons serving in the Defence Force and Zambia Police Service from their duty of Allegiance to the Republican President.
Meanwhile, Patriotic Front MCC chairperson in charge of information and publicity Hon. Raphael Nakacinda has charged that the UPND government has been choked through the micromanagement of issues by President Hakainde Hichilema.
“If you can have six ministers parading to try to defend and sanitize the policy inconsistency in this government. It only signals that we are headed for a disaster, because most of the things being said and undertaken are being micromanaged from Community house hence a lot of disastrous statements contradicting what the President, Ministers, PS and some of the surrogates say,” he said.
Mr. Nakacinda said the UPND government was relishing a lot of fear and paranoia against the patriotic front by dragging the former head of state President Lungu into their political rhetoric.
“You have heard what Imenda is saying, he has continued to circulate political rhetorics against the former head of state, that’s their project and we won’t tolerate that,” he added.
He was speaking to journalists at the Lusaka Magistrate Court building where he and other PF senior party officials went to show solidarity to former PF Kwacha MP Hon. Joseph Malanji who was appearing before court.
The case against Nakacinda is expected to proceed on March 6, 2023, and the outcome will be closely watched as it has implications for free speech and the ability of politicians to express their views without fear of prosecution.
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