BINWELL MPUNDU’S SURETY FACES K100,000 BOND FORFEITURE OR SIX MONTHS IN PRISON

by Saviour Simulindi

The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has ordered Mulenga Fube, one of the sureties for former Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu, to pay a K100,000 bail bond or face six months in prison following Mpundu’s repeated failure to appear before court. Magistrate Webster Milumbe made the order after summoning Fube to explain why the bond should not be forfeited.

In his explanation, Fube told the court that he did not know Mpundu’s whereabouts, adding that their last communication involved correspondence Mpundu allegedly sent to the Inspector General of Police seeking assurances over his security. He further explained that Mpundu had claimed to have received threats from State agents but did not disclose his location or provide details of the alleged individuals responsible. Fube, who is a farmer and former Member of Parliament, asked for two weeks to raise the money, citing difficulties in mobilising funds while in custody.

The court, however, ruled that Fube could secure his release and discharge himself as a surety by paying the K100,000 within the six-month period. Meanwhile, the second surety, Christopher Kang’ombe, has been given until November 23, 2026, to appear before court and explain why he should not be held liable for the bond. Mpundu remains subject to a bench warrant and faces a sedition charge arising from a Facebook article in which he is alleged to have encouraged members of the public to acquire firearms for self-defence. The proceedings against the sureties relate to Mpundu’s failure to attend court and do not determine his guilt on the substantive charge.