PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE XAVIER CHUNGU’S CASE ADJOURNED AGAIN AS STATE AWAITS DPP’S COMMITTAL CERTIFICATE
The case involving presidential candidate Xavier Chungu has been adjourned for a second time after the state informed the Lusaka Magistrates Court that it is still awaiting a certificate of committal from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before the matter can proceed to the High Court.
Appearing before Chief Resident Magistrate Thandose Chabala, the prosecution told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Gilbert Phiri, had not yet issued the necessary instructions or the certificate required to commit the case to the High Court for trial.
Magistrate Chabala subsequently adjourned the matter to 22 July 2026, after the prosecution indicated that the required certificate and directions are expected to be issued by then.
Mr. Chungu is facing 11 counts of seditious practices and publication or disclosure of information to unauthorized persons. The charges stem from remarks he allegedly made during an interview on That Zed Podcast, which prosecutors claim disclosed information obtained during his tenure as Director General of the Zambia Security Intelligence Service without the written authorization required under the law.
Mr. Chungu has remained in custody since 28 May 2026 after the Subordinate Court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to grant him bail because the DPP had issued a certificate denying bail.
The court held that the charges fall under Section 4(4) of the State Security Act, which bars subordinate courts from granting bail in such cases.
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE XAVIER CHUNGU’S CASE ADJOURNED AGAIN AS STATE AWAITS DPP’S COMMITTAL CERTIFICATE
