Court Grants Nakacinda Bail Despite Ongoing Sentence

The Lusaka Magistrates Court has granted Raphael Nakacinda K20,000 cash bail following his conviction on charges of expressing hatred, ridicule or contempt for persons on the basis of their tribe and place of origin—for which he received a six-month sentence with hard labour.

Despite the bail grant, Nakacinda remains in custody as he continues serving an 18-month sentence in a separate matter.

Last December, Magistrate Idah Phiri Mupemo convicted Nakacinda and ordered that the six-month sentence run concurrently with the 18-month jail term he is already serving for defaming President Hakainde Hichilema.

The charges stem from statements Nakacinda allegedly made between April 18 and 22, 2022, in Lusaka. According to the prosecution, he stated: "You know what you did you Zambians is very bad. You went to pick the worst and completely ignorant of a Tonga from Bweengwa and then went to dump in State House." The court found these words expressed hatred, ridicule or contempt against Tonga-speaking people from the Bweengwa area of Southern Province based on their place of origin and tribe.

When the matter came before her on Tuesday for a ruling on bail pending appeal, Magistrate Mupemo said she was satisfied that Nakacinda had met the necessary conditions.

"I grant him cash bail of K20,000 with two working sureties from Lusaka in the like sum, each in their own recognizance. I am convinced that the convict has met the considerations for granting bail," Magistrate Mupemo ruled.