BINWELL MPUNDU ESCAPES ARREST AS COURT REVOKES WARRANT
By Nelson Zulu
Lusaka Principal Magistrate Webster Milumbe has revoked a bench warrant issued against former Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu after considering his apology and explanation for failing to appear in court.
This is after magistrate Milumbe issued the warrant on 9th July following Mr. Mpundu’s failure to attend court as required.
However, when he appeared this morning, Mr. Mpundu told the court he had been travelling through northern province when his vehicle suffered a tyre burst, leaving him stranded far from help.
He explained that he later continued with a spare wheel, but suffered another tyre burst while returning to Lusaka, prompting him to instruct his lawyers and sureties to alert the court about the situation.
Mr. Mpundu told the court that following the issuance of the warrant, he was not summoned by law enforcement officers and voluntarily presented himself once he learnt of it today.
He asked the court to exercise leniency and give him the benefit of doubt, stating that he had attended previous court sittings and did not intend to disregard the authority of the court.
After hearing submissions from the accused and his lawyer, Leon Lemba, Magistrate Milumbe revoked the bench warrant and allowed the matter to proceed to trial.
Mr. Mpundu is facing one count of seditious practices, contrary to section 57(1)(b) read together with section 60(1)(I) of the penal code, in connection with material allegedly published on 20th December 2024 that encouraged politicians to arm themselves.
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