The State has opposed an application for bail pending appeal by former Lumezi Member of Parliament Munir Zulu, arguing that his conviction for libel is based on a sound judgment and that his appeal has no prospects of success.
This is in a matter in which Munir Zulu was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour, by Lusaka Resident Magistrate Davies Chibwili, after he was found guilty of defaming Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, Infrastructure Minister Charles Milupi, and RDA Board Chairperson Mulchand Kuntawala.
When the matter came up before Magistrate Davis Chibwili prosecutor Victor Choongo strongly objected to Zulu’s request for bail, stating that the grounds raised in the notice of appeal were weak and could not justify his release. The prosecutor also dismissed comparisons made to the pending appeal of former minister Ronald Chitotela, arguing that each case must be assessed on its own merit.
However,Zulu’s legal team, led by Joseph Chirwa and Boniface Chiwala, maintained that the appeal raised arguable issues and that Zulu, having been convicted of a misdemeanor, should have been given a fine or suspended sentence instead of imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Davis Chibwili acknowledged the extensive arguments from both parties and adjourned the matter to April 22, 2025, at 10:00 hours for ruling on whether Zulu should be granted bail pending the outcome of his appeal.
By Nicole Namwinga
