Bench warrant shocks Binwell

...but says he is ready to surrender himself to the court, wonders why magistrate had to issue a bench warrant when it was the first time he had missed a court appearance, discloses that he  had in fact informed the court of his absence through his lawyer and sureties

By NATION REPORTER

BINWELL Mpundu says he is utterly shocked that Magistrate Webstar Mulimbe could issue a bench warrant against him when he had always attended court proceedinga from the time his sedition trial started.

Mr Mpundu, the former Nkana independent Member of Parliament says he has never absconded court proceedings and is ready to hand himself over to the authorities, stating that a bench warrant was unnecessary and only meant create a reason to get harassed by law enforcement officers.

Mr Mpundu, who is also national youth mobilisation chairperson for the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance said there was no need for police to hunt for him because he remained a law-abiding citizen and available to appear before court.

“Police do not need to hunt for me because I am ready to hand myself over to them,” Mr Mpundu said in an interview yesterday. They don’t have to look for me. If there’s a bench warrant and it is served, I can simply hand myself over. I did not run away,” Mr Mpundu said.

He said he had been unable to attend court because of logistical challenges after his vehicle broke down while he was travelling.

He explained that he had sent his sureties to court together with his lawyer to explain the circumstances surrounding his absence.

“Even today (yesterday), I was scheduled to appear, but logistically I couldn’t have moved. That’s why I sent my sureties to court. It’s a normal practice that if you are not available for any reason, you send your sureties around. My sureties presented themselves and explained the reason why I couldn’t make it to court, but the magistrate went ahead to issue a bench warrant,” he said.

Mr Mpundu said the decision had come as a surprise because it was the first time he had failed to attend court since the matter commenced.

“I have always been available for court proceedings. I have never absconded. The first time that I had a reasonable excuse, I sent my sureties and my lawyer was there. So, it has come as a shock,” he said.

Mr Mpundu said the court could have granted him the benefit of the doubt and directed him to appear the following day instead of issuing a warrant for his arrest.

“For me, the magistrate could have actually called for me. He could have even insisted, ‘Bring him tomorrow.’ But to issue a bench warrant as if I have run away is very shocking. This is the first time I have given an excuse,” Mr Mpundu said.

He also noted that there had been several adjournments in the matter occasioned by the prosecution when its witnesses were unavailable.

Yesterday, the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court issued a bench warrant against Mr Mpundu after he failed to appear in court on a charge of seditious practices.

Magistrate Webster Milumbe issued the bench warrant for Mpundu returnable on July 20, 2026 after the accused through his surety, Christophe Kang’ombe told the court he has a breakdown in Luapula Province.

This is in a matter in which Mpundu is facing charges of seditious practice when he was alleged have uttered the words which included “defend yourselves with equal measure.”