𝗞𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁

𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒚 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒔 𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒕. 

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia24 – (August 22, 2025) – Independent Member of Parliament for Chiengi Constituency, Hon. Given Katuta, has denied allegations that she threatened Times of Zambia photojournalist, Henry Chunza, during her exit from Parliament on 21st July 2023.

Testifying before Magistrate Idah Phiri, Katuta said the accusations were based on a misunderstanding. She told the court she never spat on Mr. Chunza and never intended to threaten him.

Katuta, also a Reverend and co-founder of the Fourth Man Ministries, said she believed the person taking her photographs was a political cadre. 

She explained that she only asked security officers to stop the photography and had no intent to intimidate anyone.

The MP traced the matter back to a parliamentary dispute on 14th June 2023, when Minister of Infrastructure Charles Milupi made a statement on roads in Northwestern Province. 

Katuta, who has consistently advocated for better roads in Chiengi, said she objected to the minister’s remarks, which she and several opposition MPs viewed as regional.

She explained that her naturally sharp voice prompted the Speaker to order her to leave the chamber. Katuta said her pointing gesture, later misperceived as directed at the Speaker, was aimed at another MP. 

She subsequently wrote an apology to the Speaker, which was accepted.

On 21st July 2023, Katuta was called to stand behind the bar of the House and was ordered to take what is described in Parliament as a “walk of shame.” 

Escorted by two security officers, she requested to collect her pillow, which she uses due to a spinal dislocation.

As she exited, she noticed a man taking photographs about 15 metres away. Believing he was a cadre, she instructed security to stop him. 

She informed several MPs of the incident, including Honourables Kasondwe, Mubika Mubika, Tasila Lungu, Clifford Mpundu, and Kampamba Mulenga, who advised her to go home.

Later that day, media reports alleged she spat on a journalist, attempted to grab his camera, and threatened him. 

Katuta told the court these claims were false and clarified that her concern was only unauthorized photography. On 22nd July 2023, she held a press briefing to explain her position.

Katuta voluntarily presented herself at Emmasdale Police Station with her husband. 

She was initially told no docket had been opened but was later summoned, charged with common assault, and detained. The charge was eventually amended to threatening violence.

Her defence team, led by Counsel Benjamin Mwelwa, tendered three documents: Minister Milupi’s statement, the Speaker’s ruling of 21st July, and a medical report from Coptic Hospital confirming her spinal condition. The State objected to the medical report, but the court admitted all three documents.

During cross-examination, Katuta admitted her movements could have appeared abrupt because of her spinal condition, but she insisted she never threatened Mr. Chunza. 

She concluded: “I deny the charge of threatening violence. My conduct was only aimed at stopping what I genuinely believed was unauthorized photography by a political cadre.”

Her legal team indicated that more witnesses, including MPs, will be called in the next court session.