Pilato pleads not guilty

MUSICIAN Chama Fumba alias Pilato yesterday appeared in the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to one count of conduct likely to cause breach of the peace.
Fumba, 31, an artiste of 7734 Mitengo Road, Kansenshi in Ndola, was arrested in Lusaka on Monday over his song entitled ‘A Lungu anabwela’, which has outraged some members of the public.
The Copperbelt-based musician was brought to court by three police officers and ushered into principal resident magistrate Aridah Chulu’s courtroom, where he denied the charge.

He is charged with one count of conduct likely to cause breach of the peace, which is contrary to Section 178 (F) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
“I understand the charge your honour and I deny it,” Fumba said.
Magistrate Chulu has granted Fumba K1,000 cash bail with two working sureties in the like sum but in their own recognisance.

It is alleged that Fumba, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, publicly conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by producing and caused to be published on online media a song titled ‘A Lungu anabwela’.
Section 178 (F) under which Fumba is charged states that every person who publicly conducts himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace is liable to imprisonment for a month or to a fine not exceeding 60 penalty units or both.
Trial commences on June 24.

Chama Fumba alias Pilato photo credit – Zambia Daily Mail