Alliance for a Better Zambia President Father Frank Bwalya says he not happy because he has been acquitted but because free speech has won.
Fr Bwalya who was acquitted of a defamation of the President charge after his referred to President Michael Sata as chumbu munshololwa (a sweet potato that breaks when attempts are made to straighten it) said he will publicize the judgment.
“I am happy not because I am acquitted but because of what the magistrate said to protect freedom of expression and fair criticism,” wrote the outspoken opposition leader.
“I will publicise the judgment. As I maintained I never insulted President Sata and I know he knows. I love him still and his family. I respect his office.”
He added: “I have forgiven PF cadres that falsely accused me. I continue to emulate Mr Sata in criticizing his government the way he did to MMD.”
Kasama Magistrate Vincent Siloka acquitted Fr Bwalya saying he did not find anything defamatory about the chumbu mushololwa phrase.
He noted that convicting Fr Bwalya would amount to inhibiting freedom of expression and went further to censure the accusers of having fabricated the words umuwelele in a bid to fix the Fr Bwalya.
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