Court postpones Katuta judgment


Chiengi MP to await outcome of alleged threat charge until December 22

Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (19-12-2025) --- A Lusaka Resident Magistrate has adjourned judgment in the case involving Chiengi Independent Member of Parliament Given Katuta, after the court indicated that the judgment is not yet ready.

Resident Magistrate Idah Phiri set December 22, 2025, as the new date for the delivery of the judgment.

Ms. Katuta faces a charge of threatening violence against Times of Zambia photojournalist Henry Chunza, following an alleged incident on July 21, 2023, near Parliament Buildings in Lusaka.

According to the prosecution, Ms. Katuta allegedly spat at Mr. Chunza, chased him, questioned his authority to take photographs, and instructed him to delete images taken shortly after she was suspended from the National Assembly.

In May 2025, the court ruled that Ms. Katuta had a case to answer, prompting the commencement of her defence. She later closed her defence after calling five witnesses.

In her testimony, Ms. Katuta denied the allegations, stating that she neither spat at nor threatened the photojournalist. 

She told the court that she was confused and embarrassed after being asked to leave the National Assembly and said she mistook Mr. Chunza for a political cadre based on his appearance and conduct.

Ms. Katuta also told the court that she had asked security officers to ensure that any photographs taken were deleted and argued that social media reports had misrepresented the incident.

The case was initially scheduled for judgment on December 16, 2025, but the magistrate adjourned it after indicating that the judgment was not yet ready. The matter will now return to court on December 22, 2025, for judgment.

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