Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Projects Limited director Colonel Edgar Lungu has admitted before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court that it’s fair for someone to think his National Registration Card (NRC) belongs to the Republican President because they share the same name.

In this matter, Siwale is charged with Defamation of the President.

He is alleged to have on April 22, 2018, with intent to bring the name of President Lungu into ridicule, published defamatory matter by word of mouth to which he said ‘the President of the Republic of Zambia is not the actual Edgar Chagwa Lungu, but Jonathan Mutawale, he must be arrested for having three National Registration Cards, he is an identity thief!’

Previously, Lungu testified that Siwale displayed his NRC number on Muvi TV’s Assignment programme, alleging that it belonged to President Lungu.

Lungu, a ZAF officer based at Long Acres told the Court that he watched the programme on April 22, 2018, and the discussant, Siwale, was discussing the identity of President Lungu.

And when the matter came up before Magistrate Alice Walusiku, Monday, Lungu was cross examined by defence lawyers Keith Mweemba and Gilbert Phiri.

He said a Zambian was supposed to obtain an NRC at the age of 16 but added that he got his when he was 21 years-old.

Asked when his NRC was replaced, Lungu maintained that in 2006.

At this point, the defence wondered if he had never changed his appearance from 2006, after looking at his NRC.

“That picture (on the NRC) looks recent. How old were you in 2006. Over a decade, a person cannot look the same,” the defence said.

The State witness admitted that a person could not look the same after a decade, but added that he had now shade a bit of weight.

Asked if his NRC was mentioned in the indictment, Lungu said it was not.

Further asked if he engaged Muvi TV to ask about the NRC number which was displayed, the witness said no.

Asked if he would dispute if he was told that the President had three NRCs, Lungu said “that would be news. I don’t know (the number of NRCs he has) because we are supposed to have one.”

Asked if he agreed that the identity of a person leading the nation was very important and that citizens had a right to question the identity of such a person, the witness responded in the affirmative.

He also admitted that it was fair for someone to think his NRC belonged to the Republican President, as the names were the same.

Trial continues.