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Media cautioned

Lusaka Magistrate Dominic Makalicha has warned the media and others against analyzing or commenting on matters before the courts of law.

Magistrate Makalicha issued the caution during a case in which Former State House Press Aide Amos Chanda is accused of using insulting language against Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officers.

The court said much as Mr Chanda and the media are free to express themselves on other matters, he does not expect them to comment or analyse issues that are before his court.

Magistrate Makalicha was making a ruling after the State alleged that some media houses were commenting on issues before the court.

In another count, Mable Chanda and Ruth Nakaundi are jointly accused of using insulting language repeatedly on ACC officers, a conduct likely to give provocation to the officers so as to cause them to break the peace or commit an offence.

The trio is further accused of having obstructed and delayed ACC officers in lawful exercise of their duty to search House number 67, Elm road, Woodlands.

And, an ACC Senior Investigations Officer, Friday Tembo told the court that his officers took long to search one of Mr Chanda’s properties because of the challenges they faced.

ZNBC