Court sets April 26 as judgement day in Nakacinda defamation of HH case

THE Lusaka Magistrate Court has set April 26, 2024 as a day it will render its judgement in a matter in which Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general, Raphael Nakacinda is accused of defaming President Hakainde Hichilema.

Nakacinda, aged 43, of farm number 1794, Kafue, pleaded not guilty to defaming President Hichilema contrary to section 69 of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Nakacinda’s first appearance to court was on December, 27, 2021 and he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Trial commenced and a number of state witnesses testified before the court, and thereafter the state closed its case.

After the state closed the case, resident magistrate, Irene Wishimanga found Nakacinda with a case to answer and put him on his defence to tell his side of story.

Nakacinda in defense said what he uttered at the High Court grounds on December 13, 2021 was to defend the nation’s democracy and also to protect the integrity of the judiciary from any attempts to either manipulate not only in the judiciary but judges because the constitution of the nation lies with the judiciary.

Nakacinda had submitted that he only received information from reliable sources that President Hichilema had begun to summon judges at his private residence.

“I was merely executing my duties as an opposition leader to provide checks and balances because the information that came to me clearly indicated that the president through his aides was to interfere with court proceedings,” he said.

And one of his witnesses, former Lusangazi aspiring candidate, Mr. Patrick Banda, had narrated before the court how Justice Minister Mr. Mulambo Haimbe and President Hichilema’s political advisor, Mr. Levy Ngoma threatened to give him a ten-year jail sentence if he does not withdraw his case at the Constitutional Court.