By Daily Star Reporter
The Ndola Maagistrate Court has discharged Presidential photographer Chellah Tukuta who was facing four counts of defamation and threatening violence among others.
Tukuta, 34 was appearing before Ndola senior resident magistrate Peggy Banda.
He is charged with three counts at the magistrate count, but the fourth count awaits the Director of Public Prosecution’s consent for trial.
In count one, Tukuta is charged with publishing defamatory matter concerning Khalif Abudulah.
It is alleged that on May 26, Tukuta did publish defamatory matter concerning Khalif on Facebook in which he said “Khalif your time to leave Zambia has come you chi criminal”.
In count two he is charged with publishing defamatory matter concerning Khalif.
It is alleged that on June 9, Tukuta did publish defamatory matter concerning Khalif in form of a Facebook post in which he said “Khalif and Langiwe Lungu, director at ERB, stop arm-twisting the government over fuel, you are the reason fuel is still expensive when it is supposed to be cheap. “Thieves”.
In count three, he is charged with threatening violence.
It is alleged that on 12 June, Tukuta threatened violence to the property of Khalif Motors Zambia Limited in which he said “Khalif if you don’t leave Zambia we shall burn your trucks”.
In count four, Tukuta is charged with expressing or showing hatred for person because of place of origin.
It is alleged that on 26 May this year, Tukuta published a writing on his Facebook page expressing or showing hatred, ridicule, conptempt for Khalif because of his place of origin.
When the matter came up for continued trial before Senior Resident Magistrate Peggy Banda, senior public prosecutor Innocent Kamunga informed the court that his office received correspondence from the individual who made the complaint to the police stating that they had reconciled with Tukuta.
“They want the matter to be sorted out of court. Having looked at the request and the offence charged, asuch as they are criminal, but they are personal in nature. To that end with the authority of the DPP, we make an application persult to section 88(a) of the criminal procedure code to have the matter disposed,” said Kamunga.
Magistrate Banda said then discharged Tukuta.
“You are discharged and this is not an acquittal for they may or may not arrest you. For now you are a free person,” said Magistrate Banda.