NAKACINDA TRIAL: JUDGMENT SET FOR JULY 14 AS DEFENCE RESTS CASE
…*Seditious practices matter adjourned; PF SG remains in custody on separate sentence*
THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has set 14th July 2026 as judgment day in the seditious practice case against Patriotic Front National Secretary Raphael Nakacinda.
Chief Resident Magistrate Davis Chibwili gave the date today after Nakacinda decided to close his case before calling witnesses in his defence.
Nakacinda’s lawyer, Maluza Chongola, told Judge Chibwili that “the instructions from my client are to close the case.” Chongola said the defence was “unable to have access to our client for reasons best known to prison authorities” and therefore could not see him to get instructions.
“Whereas he was desirous to call other witnesses in this matter he instructs that he is constrained due to conditions he has been subjected to in the correction facility which conditions we wanted to bring to the attention of the court in the application we intended to file but we have failed,” Chongola told the court.
He added that he had made arrangements to visit Nakacinda on Africa Freedom Day, 25 May 2026, but the visit did not take place.
After hearing the application, Magistrate Chibwili directed that the defence file written submissions by 17th June 2026, and that the State respond by 30th June 2026. He will then deliver judgment on 14th July 2026.
The court extended Nakacinda’s bail on this matter, but he remains incarcerated as he is currently serving a separate jail term after being convicted for defamation of the President in another case.
The seditious practices charge is distinct from the 2024 aflatoxin video matter that returned to court earlier this week. In that case, the trial was adjourned to 8th June 2026 after the court noted it lacks facilities to play digital video evidence in session. That matter centers on a Facebook broadcast where Nakacinda warned the public about the mealie meal he alleged was contaminated during Zambia’s 2024 food security crisis.
Outside the courtroom, some critics allege that Nakacinda’s prosecution is linked to his position as one of the close and loyal associates of the late former Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. They argue that the State has pursued several individuals who remained loyal to Lungu following the 2021 change of government.
Nakacinda has pleaded not guilty to the seditious practices charge. Under Zambian law, an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The magistrate will consider written submissions from both the defence and the State before delivering judgment next month.
The case continues to draw public attention as it raises questions about political speech, public order, and access to legal representation for incarcerated accused persons.