COURT ACQUITS MUNIR IN HATE SPEECH CASE
THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has acquitted Munir Zulu in a matter where he was charged with expressing hatred, ridicule or contempt for persons because of race.
It was alleged that Zulu, on March 28, 2023, in Lusaka, did utter words to the effect that, “I am a villager from Lumezi, but I can tell you that villagers from Lumezi are more intelligent than villagers from Bweengwa”, which expression shows hatred, ridicule or contempt against a group of persons namely the villagers from Bweengwa.
When the matter came up for Judgement before Lusaka Magistrate Amy Chilangwa, Friday, the court found Zulu not guilty of the charge.
Magistrate Chilangwa noted that Bweengwa was a constituency which included various people and not only Tongas. She further held that Zulu’s statement could have been misinterpreted.
“Bweengwa is a constituency that has many people, not only Tongas and that the statement did not specify a particular person or tribe and the accused did not make the statement on the prohibited grounds. In my findings, it is clear that it may be an expression made which may be to others a case of misinterpretation. The accused person is not guilty of expressing hatred, ridicule, or contempt for persons based on race, tribe, place of origin, or colour, contrary to Section 70(1) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia,” said Magistrate Chilangwa.
Meanwhile, speaking shortly after he was acquitted, Zulu said he wanted to talk to President Hichilema, adding that change was coming.
“Bavuta torture (they are torturing us), but change is coming. Nifuno kamba na HH (I want to speak to HH),” said Zulu.
News Diggers
This is welcome news. Munir was lucky he got a Judge that can clearly see that only certain types of people are being persecuted. Unfortunately, Chitotela and Chilangwa were not so lucky. SELECTIVE JUSTICE IS COMING TO AN END. CHANGE IS COMING NEXT YEAR.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.