Court Declines Bail for Ex‑Spy Chief Chungu
The Lusaka Magistrate Court has declined former Zambia Security Intelligence Service Director-General, Xavier Chungu bail pending trial.
Chief Resident Magistrate, Nthandose Chabala says this follows a certificate of denial, issued by the Director of Public Prosecution -DPP.
Making a ruling on the matter today, Magistrate Chabala said Section 123 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which was cited by the state, is couched in mandatory terms.
Magistrate Chabala explained that this leaves the court without discretion to grant bail to Mr Chungu.
She noted that the offences the accused is facing are bailable unless the DPP, under the cited provisions, certifies that the release of an accused person is likely to prejudice the safety or interests of the state.
Magistrate Chabala said despite having earlier been granted bail in the high court when Mr Chungu appeared for explanation of the charge, he was remanded in custody therefore the application for bail
Magistrate Chabala has since adjourned the matter to June 26, 2026 for mention and possible committal to the high court.
In this matter, Mr Chungu is facing 4 counts of giving certain information, seditious practices and giving or disclosure of information to unauthorised person
The offences are believed to have been committed on May 24, 2026 when Mr Chungu appeared on That Zed Podcast, a local online platform.