Former Zambia Security Intelligence Service Director General Xavier Chungu has been denied bail pending trial by Chief Resident Magistrate Thandose Chabala after the Director of Public Prosecutions issued a certificate objecting to his release.
Magistrate Chabala ruled that the law leaves the court with no discretion to grant bail once such a certificate is issued under the Criminal Procedure Code in matters brought under the State Security Act.
Mr. Chungu, 73, is facing charges including communication of certain information, seditious practices and publication of information to unauthorized persons arising from remarks allegedly made during a podcast interview.
The court held that despite the defence relying on his earlier High Court bail in a separate case, the offences before the Magistrate Court were different and the application for bail could not succeed.
By Josphat Hamakala
