Court Rules Kambwili Must Defend Against Unlawful Assembly Charges

A Lusaka Magistrates' Court has found Patriotic Front member Chishimba Kambwili with a case to answer on charges of unlawful assembly, with Magistrate Kawana Mwamfuli placing him on his defense.

The charges stem from a January 26, 2023 incident where a group of youths protesting the high cost of living staged a demonstration at Kambwili's residence in Lusaka. Authorities allege Kambwili incited unlawful assembly and threatened violence during the protest.

When addressing the protesters, Kambwili had told them they had the right to express their displeasure with government but advised them not to be violent, saying: "I want to thank all of you for being patriotic, in that when you feel that leaders are not leading you according to your expectation or if the leaders are not rendering a service that they promised".

Kambwili was originally jointly charged with Charles Kakula, who led the protest march to his house, with both facing unlawful assembly charges. Kakula also faced an additional charge of expressing hatred, ridicule, or contempt for persons because of race. However, Kakula was discharged from the case in May 2024.

Kambwili appeared in court Tuesday in visibly poor health, arriving with assistance and coughing persistently throughout the proceedings. The former cabinet minister is currently serving a five-month prison sentence for hate speech violations from a 2021 radio broadcast.

During earlier testimony, blogger Simon Mwewa Lane defended Kambwili's actions, telling the court: "I reported [Charles] Kakula to the Lusaka Central police and asked the police to address the issue. I don't think Kambwili should be on trial but Kakula".

Lane further testified that Kambwili had disapproved of the group's conduct, stating: "In the video, Mr Kambwili didn't seem to be pleased and he reprimanded them, in particular, Charles Kakula, who was the leader of that group".

The case will proceed to trial as Kambwili mounts his defense against the unlawful assembly allegations.