Defunct National Democratic Congress (NDC) president Chishimba Kambwili has taken a fresh and third plea in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court and denied expressing racial remarks to an Indian national.

Kambwili, who had his matter re-allocated to another magistrate, Jennifer Bwalya, said he understood the case after it was read out to him and pleaded not guilty.

In this matter, Kambwili is charged with one count of expressing or showing hatred, ridicule or contempt for persons because of race contrary to Section 70 (1) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence allege that Kambwili on February 19, this year, expressed racial remarks on Rajesh Kumar Verma, an Indian national.

On Friday, Magistrate Sylvia Munyinya sent back the case record to Chief Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale for re-allocation as she is on transfer.

This was the second time the matter was being referred back for re-allocation.

When the matter was first taken to court in February, this year, it was allocated to Magistrate Humphrey Chitalu where the accused pleaded not guilty and was granted K3,000 cash bail with two working sureties to be bound in the sum of K10,000, but in own recognisance.

But after Magistrate Chitalu was transferred to Chipata Magistrates’ Court, the matter was re-allocated to Magistrate Munyinya where he had also denied the charge.

The matter comes up for commencement of trial on November 11, this year, before Magistrate Bwalya.

The former Chief Government spokesperson is facing five different cases before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court.