Katele Kalumba Granted K100,000 Bail After Pleading Not Guilty to Seditious Practices
Former Finance Minister Dr. Katele Kalumba has pleaded not guilty to one count of seditious practices before Lusaka Principal Resident Magistrate Webster Milumbe.
The plea came after the State informed the court that Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri has issued a certificate authorizing his prosecution.
Dr. Kalumba is charged with seditious practices contrary to Sections 57(1)(h) and 60(1)(e) of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that between August 1 and 13, 2026, Dr. Kalumba published seditious statements on his Facebook page, accusing President Hakainde Hichilema of being responsible for alleged abductions, killings and strangulations, and warning of public resistance if the August 13 General Election was rigged.
Dr. Kalumba initially entered an equivocal plea, which occurs when an accused admits guilt but makes a statement that casts doubt on the admission or suggests a possible defence. The court therefore entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf and set November 10, 2026, for commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Milumbe has granted Dr. Kalumba K100,000 bail with two Lusaka-based sureties in the like sum, pending trial.
The bail application was made by his lawyer, Henry Mulenga, who submitted that Dr. Kalumba had been in detention for about 20 days and was not a flight risk.
The State did not oppose the application. In granting bail, Magistrate Milumbe directed that the two proposed sureties be interviewed by the court and that each be bound by a K100,000 recognizance.
Source: Phoenix FM
15 October 2026 | Trending Stories TV