Zoom denies defaming Lungu
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Zoom denies defaming Lungu
A 17-YEAR-OLD boy of Kapiri known to many Zambian Facebook users as Zoom has pleaded not guilty to defaming President Edgar Lungu.
Zoom appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates Court yesterday.
This is in a matter where the Juvenile of Kapiri Mposhi in central province is facing one count of defamation of the President.
It is alleged that the Juvenile between December 30,2019 and December 31,2019 with intent to bring the name of the President into hatred, contempt, ridicule and disrespect published a defamatory statement when he uttered derogatory remarks against President Lungu and accused him of killing him and others unknown .
The accused created a Facebook page called ZOOM and used it to insult the head of state.
Zoom between the said dates published a statement on his Facebook page indicating that President Lungu would die.
“Am not a prophet but I know for a fact that Edgar Chagwa Lungu will die around 23 hrs.” The he wrote.
When the matter came up for plea before magistarate Albert Mwaba, Zoom denied the charge.
After plea, Zoom’s lawyers applied for bail pending trial.
In response state prosecutor Ngenda objected to the bail application on grounds that the accused was not a resident of Lusaka and the state would find it difficult to provide transport in order for him to attend court sessions.
In response the accused lawyer submitted that there was no chance of justice not being served as his parents parents had demonstrated that they were able to travel from Kapiri to Lusaka.
Magistarate Mwaba asked the juvenile’s mother where she was staying in lusaka but she only indicated Libala because she did not have enough details relating to the said residence.
The court ordered the accused lawyer and the mother to find out if Zoom had a relative who was employed in order for them to sign as a surity.
After recess the lawyer and the mother could still not provide any information relating to their relative’s residence.
Magistrate Mwaba granted the Juvenile K10,000 bail in his own recognisance with two sureties in Lusaka bound on the like sum.
He said he would grantthe Juvenile bail despite him not giving his fixed abode because of is corona virus and it was in his interest that he be protected from the virus.
Trial commences on March 31.
