Former UNZASU President ‘Gabriel Banda’ Sentenced to 8 Months for Inciting Violence at University Of Zambia

Former University of Zambia Students’ Union (UNZASU) president Gabriel Banda, popularly known as ‘Special Counsel’, has been sentenced to eight months imprisonment with hard labour after being found guilty of inciting violence and proposing breaches of the law to assemblies.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, 29 May 2025, Lusaka Senior Resident Magistrate Trevor Kasanda stated that the evidence clearly showed Banda’s actions led to a riot at the country’s highest learning institution, which resulted in the destruction of property worth K11.6 million.

Testimonies during the trial revealed that Banda was on campus the night before and on the day of the riot, which took place in September 2023. The court heard from the UNZA Dean of Students that the chaos stemmed from protests over the cancellation of UNZASU elections.

Former UNZASU president Chadra Chongo testified that Banda, then the Socialist Party’s National Youth Secretary, was recorded using the word “roadside”, a term often associated with mobilizing student protests along Great East Road. The protests escalated into violence, with vehicles being smashed and property looted  including K40,000 stolen from Chongo’s room.

Despite denying the allegations and pleading innocence, Banda was found guilty. The magistrate emphasized that Banda’s conduct incited violence that caused widespread destruction.

In mitigation, Banda’s lawyer Kennedy Mambwe pleaded for leniency, citing that his client is a first-time offender, a remorseful law student, and deserving of a second chance. It was also noted that UNZA surcharged all students, including Banda, to help cover the damages.

The court, however, maintained the need for deterrence and accountability, sentencing Banda to 8 months with hard labour. He was immediately taken into custody following the ruling.