#post_contentBrian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu are being taken to Solwezi by road ahead of Monday’s sedition case. Why are they returning and what happens next? LUSAKA – Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu are once again being taken to Solwezi, but the journey this time is taking place by road, according to information reaching Zambian Eye. The two opposition figures are expected to appear before Principal Resident Magistrate Mambwe Mukonde on Monday, October 5, when their seditious practices case returns to

LUSAKA – Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu are once again being taken to Solwezi, but the journey this time is taking place by road, according to information reaching Zambian Eye.

The two opposition figures are expected to appear before Principal Resident Magistrate Mambwe Mukonde on Monday, October 5, when their seditious practices case returns to court.

The development raises a simple question: why are Mundubile and Zulu being taken back to Solwezi, and why by road this time?

The two were previously moved from Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility to Solwezi ahead of their September 25 court appearance. That journey was made by air, with reports at the time indicating that they were flown to Solwezi before appearing before Magistrate Mukonde.

This time, information reaching Zambian Eye indicates that the two are being transported by road under escort as they make their way back to the North-Western Province.

The change in the mode of transport is notable because Mundubile and Zulu remain in custody and their movement between correctional facilities and court locations has become part of the wider story surrounding their cases.

What takes them back to Solwezi?

The immediate reason is the sedition case.

Mundubile and Zulu appeared before the Solwezi Magistrates’ Court on September 25, but the matter did not proceed as planned after Mundubile applied for an adjournment because his lawyers were not present.

The State, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri, told the court that it was ready to proceed but did not oppose the adjournment in the interest of justice.

Magistrate Mukonde subsequently adjourned the matter to October 5 and 6 for further proceedings.

The case involves separate allegations arising from social media activity during the tense period surrounding the August 13 general election.

Mundubile is accused of publishing a Facebook post claiming that the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity was leading the presidential election according to its Parallel Vote Tabulation and calling on the Electoral Commission of Zambia to resume the counting of votes.

Zulu faces an allegation relating to another social media post in which he stated that Mundubile would address the nation and urged people to remain on standby.

Those allegations have yet to be determined by the court.

Why Solwezi?

That is one of the questions that has followed the case from the beginning.

Mundubile and Zulu are being held in custody in connection with the separate treason case involving 18 accused persons. Yet their sedition matter is being heard in Solwezi, rather than where the two were arrested or where much of the political activity surrounding the allegations occurred.

Their defence has previously questioned the decision.

Defence lawyer Sakwiba Sikota raised concern after the September appearance over why the case was being heard in Solwezi when, according to the defence, the alleged conduct occurred in Lusaka.

Police, however, later said lawyers representing the two had been informed about the transfer to Solwezi.

That question therefore remains part of the background to Monday’s proceedings: what is the basis for having the sedition case heard in Solwezi?

Two cases, two different stages

It is also important not to confuse the Solwezi proceedings with the treason case.

The sedition matter is separate from the treason proceedings in which Mundubile and Zulu are among 18 accused persons.

The Solwezi case concerns alleged social media posts, while the treason case relates to much broader allegations arising from events surrounding the August 13 election.

The two matters therefore have different charges and different proceedings, even though the same two accused persons are involved.

For Mundubile and Zulu, however, both cases have meant continued detention.

The road to Monday

As the two are transported back to Solwezi, attention will now turn to what happens when they arrive.

The October 5 and 6 dates were set for the sedition matter to resume, with the court expected to deal with plea and possible commencement of trial.

Whether the case finally moves forward will depend on what happens in court, including the readiness of both the prosecution and defence.

But before they reach the courtroom, there is already a new development in their journey to Solwezi.

The first time, they were flown.

This time, according to information reaching Zambian Eye, they are going by road.

And that difference is likely to attract attention as the two opposition figures return to the same court for the next stage of a case that has continued to unfold alongside their separate treason proceedings.

Related posts:

1. 25 days and counting: Treason suspects still waiting for court as LAZ raises alarm
2. Mundubile, Makebi at Solwezi Police after being moved from Mukobeko
3. Mundubile Release Demand Grows as Lawyers Are Denied Access at Mukobeko
4. ‘This Is a Constitutional Crisis’: Civil Society Sounds Alarm Over Zambia’s Post-Election Crackdown