The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has rejected former Lumezi Member of Parliament Munir Zulu’s request for bail while he appeals his conviction.
Zulu was recently sentenced to 12 months in prison with hard labour by Lusaka Resident Magistrate Davies Chibwili.
He was found guilty of defaming Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, Infrastructure Minister Charles Milupi, and RDA Board Chairperson Mulchand Kuntawala.
When delivering the ruling on the bail application, Magistrate Chibwili noted that although libel is a misdemeanor, the case had serious aggravating factors.
He also said Zulu should serve as an example to young people, highlighting the need for responsible behaviour in public life.
The court dismissed the defence’s claim that Zulu had served a significant portion of his sentence and ruled that the appeal grounds had no realistic chance of success.
By Nicole Namwinga
