GRACE CHAILE
Lusaka
FORMER Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu risks arrest after the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court issued a bench warrant against him for repeatedly failing to appear in court in a case involving alleged seditious practices.
Magistrate Webster Milumbe yesterday issued the warrant and ordered Mpundu’s sureties to appear before court on November 2, 2026 to produce the accused or explain his whereabouts.
Mpundu, who is also National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential affairs chairman, was expected to attend the hearing but was absent, prompting the prosecution to apply for a warrant for his arrest.
Senior public prosecutor Abraham Ngozo informed the court that Mpundu had failed to appear and that no explanation had been provided for his absence.
Mr Milumbe subsequently ordered that Mpundu be brought before court under a bench warrant and summoned his sureties, Mulenga Fube, who was present, and former Kamfinsa MP Christopher Kang’ombe, who was absent.
The court directed the two sureties to appear on November 2 and either produce Mpundu or account for his absence.
The case has reached the stage where the court is expected to determine whether the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to require Mpundu to enter a defence.
Mpundu is charged with one count of seditious practices, contrary to Section 57(1)(b), as read with Section 60(1)(i) of the Penal Code.
It is alleged that on December 20, 2024, he published material encouraging politicians to arm themselves after allegedly altering the words “defend yourselves with equal measure”. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home