Chama Fumba, 31, whose stage name is Pilato, struck a defiant note
outside the court, saying he was not fazed by the case and vowing to
continue composing similar songs.
Fumba was arrested last month
and charged with conduct likely to breach the peace over the song, which
allegedly defamed President Edgar Lungu.
At a court hearing on
Monday, state prosecutor Like Pumulo said he had instructions from
Zambia's chief prosecutor to abandon the case.
But magistrate Aridah Chulu cautioned Fumba over his future choice of material.
"You can go home, you are not acquitted, you can be re-arrested for the same offence," Chulu said.
The song's lyrics tell the story of a character named Lungu who grows up in a slum and becomes president.
The
Lungu in the song is described as carrying a suitcase filled with
bottles of Jameson Irish whiskey and having no idea how to govern.
"I
am excited, just like I was excited when the song came out," Fumba told
reporters after the ruling. "Hopefully I will continue doing such good
songs."
President Lungu, 58, a former defence minister, took
office in January following an election after the death of his
predecessor Michael Sata.
Lungu suffers from recurring achalasia, a
condition caused by narrowing of the oesophagus, and has been regularly
hospitalised for treatment.
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