Emotional moment as cyber-harassment case against Mutale Mwanza faces possible withdrawal

Mwanza, dressed in a long floral red dress, looked visibly emotional as she left the courtroom following brief proceedings before Magistrate Mbuvuyana Sinvula. Earlier, the court heard that Lusumpa had written to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Gilbert Phiri, requesting that the matter be withdrawn. The prosecution informed the court that it had received a letter indicating the complainant’s desire to discontinue the case but had not yet received formal instructions from the DPP’s office.

“The State is in receipt of a letter from the complainant requesting that the matter be withdrawn, but we have not yet received instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions,” the prosecution told the court. The matter was adjourned to April 13, 2026, to allow the prosecution to obtain guidance from the DPP on whether the case should proceed or be discontinued. Mwanza faces one count of harassment using electronic communication contrary to Section 69 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act.

It is alleged that on November 7, 2024, Mwanza used her Facebook page called M-Nation with intent to intimidate, harass, or cause emotional distress to Lusumpa. The prosecution previously told the court that Mwanza allegedly published unprintable words against Lusumpa and made claims about her private life. If the DPP approves the request to withdraw the matter, Mwanza could be discharged from the case, possibly with certain conditions attached.

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However, if the DPP declines the request, the trial is expected to continue with the State calling additional witnesses to testify. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

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