The Lusaka Magistrate’s Court has convicted and fined Raphael Nakacinda K2,400 on a charge of seditious practices linked to 2024 public remarks about a planned raid on former President Edgar Lungu’s Chifwema residence.
A Verdict Rooted in 2024 Remarks
Magistrate Sylvia Munyinya convicted Raphael Nakacinda on a charge of seditious practices, sentencing him to a fine of K2,400 with an order for immediate payment or a default three-month prison term. The conviction stems from public statements Nakacinda made in September 2024, in which he alleged that law enforcement agencies were planning a raid on the late former President Edgar Lungu’s Chifwema residence.
Prosecutors argued that the remarks, made during a period of heightened political tension, had the potential to incite public alarm and disrupt peace, forming the basis for the sedition charge brought against him.
A Ruling on the Limits of Political Speech
The court’s decision draws renewed attention to where legitimate political expression ends and actionable sedition begins, with the bench addressing that threshold directly in its ruling. The verdict is expected to fuel further debate among legal scholars and political analysts over the boundaries of political dissent in the current climate. As of press time, Nakacinda’s legal team had not indicated whether they intend to appeal the conviction.
Sources: Court proceedings, Lusaka Magistrate’s Court, August 6, 2026
