New Labour party president Fresher Siwale who has been in incarceration for about 30-days after failing to meet his bail conditions in the matter in which he is charged with defamation of the President has been granted a fresh K25, 000 bail in his own recognizance with two working sureties in the like sum from reputable working institutions.
This was after his lawyer Keith Mweemba, applied for mild bail conditions informing the court that his client has remained incarcerated after failing to meet the previous bail conditions.
Previously, the court granted Mr Siwale a K10,000 bail in his own recognizance with two working sureties from government institutions at managerial level or directorship.
But when the matter came up before Magistrate Alice Walusiku for commencement of trial, his lawyer indicated that it has been difficult for their client to meet bail conditions because the matter has political connotations and no civil servant has been willing to sign bail on his behalf.
Mr. Mweemba asked the court to grant the accused fresh bail conditions as he was a political figure, a leader of a political party and was willing to attend court when required.
Magistrate Walusiku granted Siwale a fresh but reminded him that he would remain incarcerated until he met the bail conditions.
Meanwhile, during trial in the matter, Muvi television journalist Mabvuto Phiri told the court that he produced the 1hour 30 minutes assignment program where Mr Siwale is alleged to have referred to President Lungu as an identity thief, further stating that he is not the actual Edgar Chagwa Lungu but Jonathan Mutawale.
The state presented before the court a DVD of the said program which was viewed in court.
But Mr Siwale’s lawyer Gilbert Phiri objected to the presentation of the DVD as evidence arguing that its contents could have been altered to suit the state.
Magistrate Walusiku has since adjourned the matter to 6th and 20th June,2018 for mention and 5th July for continued trial.
Where is mulongoti ?
Where is freedom of expression? Where is justice?
MULONGOTI knows much more than we all do. Eddie will not will not even want to see Mulongoti near the premises of the court with hi can of beans to spill. Mulongoti is a hot potato as far as Jonathan is concerned. RED eyed and dry lipped Eddie would rather Mulongoti stays where he is!
It’s a shame that Zambia still entertains some colonial outdated laws, often practiced by dictatorships to clump down on opposition. The next democratic president in Zambia will need to do away with this archaic meaningless law of “defamation of the president.” It’s a ridiculous law, and a relic from colonial times. Defamation of anyone, including a president, should never be criminalized. It should be a civil offence, and not a criminal offence. If the party that feels defamed sues, the case should be treated as a civil case, and no prison is necessary. A criminal offence should only be…if someone threatens physical harm to the president. This is just another example of stifling of freedom of speech. We need to stop treating African presidents like kings. That’s why they get…
(Continued) …corrupt and assume way too much power. Again shame on you.
In many countries in Europe, even wiretapping by secret services can never be used as evidence in court, let alone DVDs in order to protect citizens. But in Zambia, the court relying upon a S.t.tu.pid reporter DVDs to fulfil a political assignment. SHAME. Its hard to fight such machinery which benefits some people, instead, poor people are being incarcerated for nothing.
I am surprised, the diaspora community, these are the points that need to be highlighted to our MPs so such archaic laws are changed.
He must go back and be neighbours with HH.
Getting in trouble for stupidity
An adult with grandchildren trying to please someone who will never rule Zambia lands in hot soup
Instead of looking for money to buy grandchildren some jigies you up in chooks
Arrest the fool.
He tried fainting like ck it never worked for him
Ck is the only fainting master
Mandela spent 27yrs in jail he never fainted
The Lazy Edgar/Jonathan was punishing Fresher with with two working sureties being Civil Servants which is unthinkable …why did you not ask for with two working sureties from reputable institutions last time around instead of punishing this man??
Interesting. So even bail attracts intimidation!? Where are we going? It is not OK.
The lazy bum polygamist father had a child who was not loved so the child has serious mental issues including tribals!
You , go and scratch between your legs if you have nothing better to say….
But shouldn’t Fresher Siwale be left to rot in prison or fed to the crocodiles? What value is he to society if not even a civil servant can sign for his bail?
….I mean, there are enough upnd civil servants to sign for his bail. Or is the tribe of Fresher seen to be wrong by upnd?
Spaka lilo, you have resurfaced my poor robot?
….what is your advice upnd robot?
@ d1ck sucking starved cadre
robots are future, d!ck sucking for few proteins is abject poverty of intellect
I hope this Lazy Lungu/Jonathan is nabbed one day for his crimes!!
A leader who couldn’t even manage to get himself bailed out should think before he gets himself in trouble. Mulongoti can’t take you anywhere, he will abandon you when it really gets hot. You’re not being a hero
I think Fresher is a mental case. The nation cannot be preoccupied by such people. There is no consistency in what he says. How do you hope to win in a presidential race when not even the party structures can afford $2500.
He has learnt a lesson NOT to associate with crooks like mulongoti. 30 days self imprisonment