Changala’s sedition trial starts

By Hannock Kasama

Trial has started in a matter where Civil Rights Activist BREBNER CHANGALA is charged with sedition.

LUSAKA Chief Resident Magistrate DAVIES CHIBWILI is presiding over the matter.

As part of trial the court today has watched the video where Mr. CHANGALA allegedly uttered seditious sentiments in May 2024 as he commented on the alleged abduction of PETAUKE Central member of Parliament EMMANUEL J BANDA.

The video was compiled by ZAMBIA Police Service Digital Forensic Analyst JONATHAN PHIRI.

Mr. PHIRI also appeared as a witness in the matter could not however substantiate whether or not the utterance by Mr. CHANGALA where seditious or not.

He testified that he did not pay particular attention to every word in Mr. CHANGALA’s video as he compiled it.

This was during cross examination by defence lawyers.

Mr. PHIRI further testified that he does not know Mr. CHANGALA personally but merely as a public figure.

Mr. CHANGALA was arrested on May 28, 2024, along with Forum for Democracy and Development-FDD President EDITH NAWAKWI and Christian Democratic President-CDP President DANNY PULE.

Others were LUMEZI member of Parliament MUNIR ZULU and his MFUWE Counterpart MAUREEN MABONGA.