Court rejects oral submissions in Mundubile case

A Solwezi Magistrate’s Court has refused to allow oral submissions in an application by losing 2026 presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his former running mate Makebi Zulu challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear their sedition case in Solwezi.

Solwezi Principal Resident Magistrate Mambwe Mukonde ruled that the issues the defence intended to raise orally had already been adequately addressed in documents before the court.

The court instead granted the defence seven days to file written submissions in support of its application challenging the prosecution of the matter in Solwezi, arguing that the alleged offence was committed in Lusaka.

Magistrate Mukonde adjourned the matter to October 13, when she is expected to rule on the jurisdiction application and possibly take plea from the two accused.

Mr Mundubile and Mr Zulu are facing two counts of seditious practices, contrary to Section 57 of the Penal Code Act.

They are alleged to have acted together and published material through livestreams on their respective Facebook pages concerning the outcome of the 2026 general elections.

Earlier, the defence applied to make oral submissions and present evidence in support of its objection to the Solwezi court hearing the matter.