Fr Bwalya put on defence

The Kasama Magistrate court has found Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) leader, Frank Bwalya, with a case to answer for defaming President Michael Sata.

 

Principal Resident Magistrate, Vincent Siloka, has since put Fr Bwalya on his defence in the matter.

 

This is a case in which Fr Bwalya is charged with defamation of the President contrary to Section 69 of the Criminal Procedure Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

 

The State yesterday called seven witnesses who testified against Fr Bwalya.

 

Meanwhile, the other count which was slapped on him of proposing violence was dropped.

 

The witnesses testified that Fr Bwalya used insulting words when he appeared on Radio Mano when he addressed President Sata as “Mumbu mushololwa, muwelewele”, meaning he is like a sweet potato which cannot be bent and if you force it to, it can break and that he cannot reason.

 

However, Fr Bwalya earlier denied the charge and told the court that he will bring over 15 witnesses who will include those that are conversant to interpret Bemba idioms and proverbs.

 

 Magistrate Siloka found Fr Bwalya with a case to answer and put him on his defence and the matter will come up on April, 1, 2014, on which day the audio cassette disk featuring his programme on air will be listened to.

 

Fr. Bwalya is on a K10, 000 cash bail.