Judge Musona Lusaka Decision on Mundubile Makebi Good For The State says Sakwiba Sikota
…Zambia will save money once hearings start in Lusaka
By Court Reporter | Lusaka, 5th November 2026
Lead defence lawyer for main opposition leader in the just ended 13th August poll hon. Brian Mundubile, Sakwiba Sikota SC believes the State must be happy that Judge Musona has decided to move the sedition case of Mundubile and vice Makebi Zulu to Lusaka.
“The respected Judge Musona’s decision to move the case to a Lusaka subordinate court in my view is good for the State (DPP & AG),” said Sikota SC.
“What this means is the State does not have to worry about flying or driving a dozen lawyers and assistants and witnesses to Solwezi every time the case comes up, they can just do it from right here in Lusaka now while saving Zambian tax payers money,” said the veteran lawyer Sikota.
Sikota is working with others such as SC Chifumu Banda SC, Bonaventure Mutale, senior counsellors Nkula Bota, Kambwa Aongola and senior counsel Milner Katolo on the Mundubile Makebi sedition case the state wanted tried in dusty Solwezi.
Before High Court Judge E.L. Musona made the decision on the 11th of September sedition charge, Mundubile and Makebi had to be driven to Solwezi from Kabwe over 440kms one way all the time over rough terrain.
The State wanted the sedition case tried in Solwezi for reasons no one understands. It had even lined up a handful of witnesses.
The case decided by Justice Musona today is the sedition case under Section 57 of the Penal Code arising from alleged Facebook livestreams after the 13th of August poll.
This is different from the treason case. In the treason case, Mundubile and Makebi are co-charged with 16 others including 68-year-old retired Anglican Bishop Trevor Mwamba, George Chisanga, Patrick Mwansa and others
Sikota prays that, “following Judge Musona’s ruling, the Mundubile-Makebi duo may be brought to Lusaka, it makes logistical, security and financial sense.”
Although the law says 48 hours to see a judge after charge, Mundubile and others clocked 71 days today without that access. The EU says it is closely watching the trial. So are international and local media and analysts.
The hearing on whether Mundubile and others get Constitutional Bail before the three-judge panel continues tomorrow 6th November in Lusaka.
Mundubile and others must be driven back 150kms from Kabwe again by rough road terrain. Court resumes tomorrow on treason case in Lusaka.
Concerns abound about the heavy security around the court that makes it appear like a ‘fortress’.
Source: Lusaka High Court.