A MAGISTRATE was informed that Forum for Democracy and Development president Edith Nawakwi will call a minimum of 75 witnesses to defence her in a seditious practices case.
This was after Lusaka magistrate Irene Wishimanga found the outspoken former Minister of Finance with a case to answer in a matter she is charged with two counts of seditious practices.
Allegations are that between May 25 and 28, this year, the accused uttered seditious words in which she claimed that the State had abducted now fugitive Petauke lawmaker Emmanuel Jay Banda. 
The politician also claimed, among other utterances, that “Mr Hakainde” and Inspector General of Police Graphael Musamba knew Mr Banda’s whereabouts.
She also alleged that President Hichilema and Mr Musamba were singlehandedly creation a situation which is risky “to the existence of the state”
The above words are deemed to being hatred or content or to excite disaffection against the Government as by law established.
In the second count, it is alleged that between the same dates, the accused called on Zambians to “call Hakainde to account on the abduction of Jay Jay Banda”.
She claimed that Zambia is currently in the “dark ages”, among other utterances which the State contends were meant to raise discontent or disaffection among the people of Zambia.
“We are now going to live in a country like that of Idi Amin” the accused is quoted to have said.
But when dragged to court, Ms Nawakwi denied the allegations and several witnesses testified against him.
Yesterday during ruling on case to answer, magistrate Wishimanga said from the evidence adduced so far, a prema facie case had been made out against the accused person.
She found her with a case for answer and placed Nawakwi on her defence.
Ms Nawakwi’s lawyer Tresford Chali told the magistrate his client will give sworn evidence and call not less than 75 witness to aide her defence which is scheduled for December 2, 2024.
