By Esther Chisola
A state witness has told the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court that there was nothing seditious in the interview that human rights activist Brebnar Changala had with Diamond TV.
Darious Choonya who is a senior reporter at the Diamond TV was testifying in a matter where Changala pleaded not guilty to a count of seditious practice.
When the matter came up for continued trial before Chief Resident Magistrate Davies Chibwili, Choonya narrated to the court that on May 25, 2024, he was assigned by his boss Clive Kalunga to do a crossover on the alleged disappearance of Petauke-Central member of parliament Emmanuel Jay Banda.
“I remember that there were some PF members of parliament I interviewed in relation to the alleged disappearance of Emmanuel Jay Banda, among them include Mporokoso member of parliament Brian Mundubile, I also interviewed PF spokesperson Mr Emmanuel Mwamba, PF member Mumbi Phiri,” he said.
He told the court that he also interviewed Changala who was among other PF officials.
“My comment on that video, is that it is me in the video, holding the blue microphone and wearing the orange shirt. I can confirm that the video played before court is the one I carried out. I know Mr Brebnar Changala as a governance activist for 7 years now, since I started practicing journalism, he’s been our news source as Diamond TV,” he said
In cross examination, asked if the purpose of the interview was for the accused to utter seditious remarks, he responded in the negative.
And asked whether there were any seditious words spoken by the accused in the video, he responded in the negative.
Further asked if he could confirm whether in the video he heard Changala inciting people to rise against the government, he responded in the negative.
Asked if he saw any person who attempted to run down the government after he aired the interview, he responded saying.
“I didn’t see,” said Choonya.
