The five Radio Mano journalists who were arrested by police in Kasama on Tuesday have appeared in the Kasama Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to two counts of using insulting language, contrary to Section 179 Cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.
The five accused are news editor Tobias Mangani and his assistant news editor Patrick Kabwe.
Others are Henry Kangwa, Nzala Hangubo and Abigail Musonda.
In the first count, facts are that on 9th November 2016, the five journalists jointly and whilst acting together did allegedly use insulting language against Charles Kashishi, by saying “mwe mbwa mwe, muli fipuba,” which is directly translated in English as “you dogs, you are fools”.
While in the second count, facts are that on NovemberNovember 9, 2016, the five jointly and acting together did allegedly use insulting language against Yona Chishimba by saying “mwe mbwa mwe, muli fipuba” which is directly translated in English as “you dogs, you are fools”.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to both charges leveled against them when they appeared Thursday before Resident Magistrate Barthromel Kaongo for plea, in fully parked court-room.
Magistrate Kaongo has since adjourned the matter to come up on 14th December 2016, for commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, the Media Institute of Southern African (MISA) Zambian Chapter has sourced a lawyer to join other lawyers who have offered to represent the accused journalists.
On Tuesday this week, Police in Kasama rounded up Radio Mano news room staff for allegedly insulting ruling Patriotic Front officials.
The Patriotic Front-PF has often accused Radio Mano of being pro UPND with the station having clashed with law enforcement agencies especially in the heat of the August 11 elections.
Journalists Tobias Mangani, Henry Kangwa, Patrick Kabwe, Nzala Hangubo, and Abigail Musonda were arrested on Tuesday and slapped with a charge of using insulting language against two PF members of media committee Yona Chishimba and Charles Kashishi and Northern Province vice chairperson Peter Mwansa.
The officials have repeatedly appeared on Radio programs accusing the journalists of being corrupt and sympathetic to the opposition.
Matters came to a heat when the five journalists sought audience with the said officials after they had appeared on a Radio program with the police intervening by arresting the journalists after the trio of PF officials reported the matter to police.
The five journalists were released on police bond after spending over three hours in police cells.
Radio Mano