The defense in the State’s case against FDD leader Edith Nawakwi, who is facing two counts of seditious practices, could not proceed on today as she was reported to be unwell.
Last month, Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga ruled that Nawakwi had a case to answer and placed her on her defence.
Nawakwi pledged to testify under oath and call 75 witnesses in her defence.
However, when the matter was scheduled for the commencement of her defence, Nawakwi did not appear before the court.
Her lawyer, State Counsel Chifumu Banda, requested an adjournment, explaining that his client had recently returned from India and was unwell.
The court demanded an explanation from her surety, Milenge Independent Member of Parliament Gystave Chonde. Chonde apologized for arriving late, explaining that he had been making efforts to check on the accused.
“The accused is unwell. I visited her, and she is not in a good condition. For any doubts, she has opened up her house for visitation,” Chonde told the court.
In the first count, Nawakwi is alleged to have uttered seditious words between May 25 and 28, 2024, in Lusaka. She allegedly stated:
“The international community must know that as far as Zambia and Zambians are concerned, the disappearance of Jay Jay Banda, the abduction, is authorized by the State… The Police know. Hakainde knows. His associates like Grapheal Musamba know.”
In the second count, Nawakwi is alleged to have called on Zambians to hold President Hichilema accountable for Banda’s disappearance, likening the situation to Zambia’s past under oppressive regimes.
