NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili has pleaded not guilty to a charge of Defamation of the President before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court.

And Lusaka magistrate Lameck Mwale has granted the former chief government spokesperson K50,000 bail in his own recognizance with two working sureties of fixed abode.

On Wednesday, Police in Lusaka arrested Kambwili on a charge of defamation of the President and denied him bond, promising to take him to court on Thursday morning, a promise which was not fulfilled.

His lawyers, however, successfully applied for Habeas Corpus, Thursday, compelling police to avail him before the courts of law today.

When the matter came up for plea, magistrate Mwale explained the charge to Kambwili.

“You stand charged of Defamation of the President. Chishimba Kambwili, on unknown dates but between 26th August 2019 and 27th August 2019…with intent to bring the name of the President into hatred, ridicule or contempt, did publish an insulting matter by word of mouth did say, ‘noti ishi imbwa shabantu yaleikala fye ku Chawama elo yamona STE ati ntandale icalo umutengo wabunga balelwa 150 waya? Kumona fye nabantu abika kuti wabula Kampyongo Ati Minister of Home Affairs? Kuti chaba chalo? Ba Kaizer Zulu. Oke bane’ meaning not these people who are like dogs who used to stay in Chawama when it saw STE decides to move all over the world, whenever it is called, it goes. Can you leave the price of mealie meal they fight 150 you go? You can even see the people he appoints. How do you appoint Kampyongo as Minister of Home Affairs? Can it be a country? Ba Kaizer, ok guys’. Do you understand the charge?” Magistrate Mwale asked, to which Kambwili responded in the affirmative.

Kambwili then pleaded not guilty to the charge and his lawyers applied for bail pending trial saying he was of fixed abode.

Magistrate Mwale granted Kambwili K50,000 bail in his own recognizance with two working sureties and of fixed abode in Lusaka.

Matter was adjourned to September 13 for mention and September 30 for trial.