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Pilato arrested and denied bail

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Police in Lusaka have formally arrested Copperbelt based Musician Chama Fumba over his politically charged song ‘A Lungu Anabwela’ for allegedly defaming President Edgar Lungu.
The musician arrived at Lusaka Central Police Station with two lawyers and has been denied bond. He is expected to appear in court soon.

In the track, the artist chronicles the rise of a little known politician from the sprawling Lusaka township of Chawama to become Zambia’s President in waiting after the PF’s founding leader Micheal Sata’s death.
In apparent reference to President Lungu, he goes on to mock the recent merger of the vanquished former ruling party the MMD with the PF through numerous by-elections.

Meanwhile MISA Zambia says individuals should not be criminalised for merely expressing themselves.

MISA Zambia Chairperson Hellen Mwale said Freedom of Expression is a fundamental right to be enjoyed by all citizens regardless of their background and political orientation as provided for under the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which Zambia ratified.

Ms Mwale said this in a statement in Lusaka following the decision by the Zambia Police to summon and arrest controversial musician Pilato.

“Freedom of Expression is a hallmark of Democracy as its unfettered enjoyment contributes to functional democracy that encourages citizen participation for good governance and accountability.

Good governance and accountability requires that leaders must be amenable to criticism and would thus need a high level of tolerance,” Ms Mwale said.

She added, ‘ It is for this reason that MISA Zambia has continued to advocate for the repeal or amendment of certain sections of the penal code that impede the enjoyment of freedom of expression. These include provisions in Section 69 on Defamation of the President, Section 53 on Prohibited Publications, section 60 on Seditious Practices among other laws such as the Public Order Act.”

“These legal provisions have been used on several occasions by government functionaries to suppress dissenting views and there by oppress individuals perceived to be opposed to the party in power,” Ms Mwale.

“We therefore call for these laws to be re-examined to allow for increased citizen participation without fear of unnecessary retribution at any given time. MISA Zambia remains committed to its vision of a region in which members of society, individually or collectively are free to express themselves through any media of their choice without hindrance of any kind.”
She said MISA further believes in a system in which Access to Information is unhindered and must be readily available.

editor
editorhttp://www.lusakatimes.com

107 COMMENTS

    • Davies Chama is free, roaming around with guns. But an entertainer Pilato is removed from society. But to original PF.

    • What a sad day in zambian politics how can the Government of the day allow this to happen this is how you make popular shame on you PF

    • He was denied bail because he is considered flight risk based on his hide and seek tactics with the police before his arrest. That said, whoever arrested this clown needs a mental check up. Just his appearance alone makes me think he doesn’t take himself too seriously. All I see is a schizophrenic!

    • This not only Pilato’s battle, it our battle. We need to fight for our rights. A Secretary General of the PF’s gun shot with intent to kill and wounded a human being and the police have not yet arrested him. What kind of double standard is this?

    • This when our foreign embassies United States, Britain, EU should speak up about these human rights abuses. There’s no point in keeping quiet about it. You spoke out about gay rights, now do the same about freedom of speech

    • THERE’S NOTHING LIKE “ABSOLUTE FREEDOM”. FREEDOM SHOULD NOT BE ABUSED, WHEN WE ABUSE ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO OWN, WE RISK LOSING IT. FREEDOM IS NOT AN EXCEPTION- ABUSE IT AND YOU LOSE IT.

    • WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DRIVE..BUT WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE STIPULATED LAW, WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASSOCIATION..BUT WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE LAW, WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORSHIP FREELY BUT DOES NOT MEAN GO PROVOKE THE GRZ. ETC. WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH/EXPRESSIONS, BUT THOSE EXPRESSIONS MUST BE CHECKED AND UTTERED WITH ABSOLUTE RESPECT, IT DOESN’T MEAN GO AROUND ANNOYING YOUR NEIGHBORS WITH HURT SPEECHES JUST COZ U ARE FREE TO OPEN YOUR MOUTH..

    • Human Rights international should step in this is beyond dictatorship his democratic rights, freedom of speech rights are being infringed upon! Zambians start signing petitions for his release this is not Russia.

    • SEEMS SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT MATURE ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE PRIVILEGES THAT COMES WITH CERTAIN RIGHTS.PILATO IS ONE OF THEM. NO WONDER SOME OF THE RIGHTS ARE ONLY GRANTED AFTER YOU REACH A CERTAIN AGE.

    • John Mwansa never mentioned the name of the person at all.
      There were other songs like imisango ya ba chairman but again no names mentioned!
      Pilato said Lungu from chawama! funny song but the law hasn’t changed Ka! I don’t support his arrest but it shouldnt be our battle not in my name! we still live in a third world so be careful with what you say.

    • So, are you saying that there’s only one Lungu the whole Chawama? And, if not, are the other Lungus sober all the time?

  3. Ms Helen Mwale, you are advised to do first things first, pi.e. change the before you rant about freedom of expression. By the way do you have the same views about suspected rapists, murderers and other criminals. Should they enjoy their human rights too?

    • Chief cadre @3, did you say ‘SUSPECTED’? Of course they have their rights! It becomes a different matter when they are CONVICTED! Lungu is showing himself to be a tin pot dictator. Our rights are God given, not conferred by any government. Pilato has a right to express himself. “Alungu anabwela, kuchokela kuchawama…… ” Natu ma Jameison!!

  5. Africans love praise and will do anything to get at the critics.
    I have come to a realization that without all the critics and enemies who had wished me evil I would have amounted to nothing.
    Even Jesus Christ was criticized.
    A mortal Lungu with all his obvious faults should not be taking criticism personally this way.
    Lungus personal response to this issue will indeed determine how sincere and mature he is with democracy and freedom of expression.

    • Excuse me, you dont abuse some one in the name of freedom of expression. Remember were someone’s rights ends another person’s rights start.

    • Am amazed at how you can be living in America, the land of the free and not learn a thing about freedom of expression.

      This simple song of satire is nothing compared to what the right wing republicans have been saying about our beloved Obama on fox TV, just see how mature Obama and his team has handled them, wasting no time with responding. And see how his critics have made him even more popular to their own demise.

    • Ba Change your thinking – don’t cheat people: Why have some police officers been dismissed or under investigation?

  7. Pipito went with 2 UPND lawyers and tight security. are they also there providing him legal advise and security.

  8. I listened to this song today I don’t see anything so called defaming Lungu. That the problem with third world country we don’t like criticism. Lungu pardoned Former minister and now ask the police to arrest Pilato! Waste of time and resources, why not go for big fish in the pond? People who reality stole government resources!

    • The real criminals are busy stealing using bulldozers in the mines but you are so obsessed with silencing innocent citizens who wispier the truth.

    • The pardoned former minister is shamelessly going back to parliament despite the fact that he was sentenced fair and square because of stealing! Where is the integrity? Muteteka is not fit enough to serve sentence but fit for parliament! Sorry Zambia

  10. There is no maliciousness in his song. Something will only qualify to be malicious if there is falsehood.

    In that song there are no half truths.
    (1) MMD and RB were voted out. True of false. Ans- True
    (2) Dora Siliya, RB and others from MMD have joined PF. True or false. Ans- True
    (3) EL came from Chawama and became president. True or false Ans- True
    (4) True PF members who suffered at the hands of MMD are frustrated. True or false.Ans- True
    (5) People did not reject MMD but its members because they were perceived to be corrupt. True or False. Ans- True
    (6) True PF members do not know where to go now. True or false. Ans- True.
    (6) Michael Sata was accused that he will cut breasts of women if voted into power. True or false. Ans- True.
    (8) Sata died. True or false. Ans- True

    • KAVUYI
      According to you it is true that President Lungu came from chawama where he did nothing with nothing but a suitcase full of Jameson? Do you understand the meaning of that?
      Learn to be real. Pilato crossed a line and rightly so will pay for it.

    • Did lungu carry a suit case full of beers?ba kavuyi you are the one who should learn to be real.azamuvela mu ma cello pilato,in fact azakala patrisha mu ma cello!HH will be sipping a cold drink and will never come to his rescue.BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.

  11. Apart from Ifiko ne ndoti. Do people like Pilato have a wife, kids, parents, brothers and sisters? This is why we will make sure HH never makes it to plot 1 because the boy is so selfish that he risks everything except his own life to get to state house. Let us be realistic, this Pilato will just be fed on Cement in prison and will not last longer to see his children grow just like Captain Solo and all while HH will continue screwing his cows.

  12. Chief cadre, rapists or muderes have actually commited crime, what you dont seam to realize or know is that freedom of expression or voice is a right of everybody even criminals or yourself as you are ranting on this fora you have a right. Let pilato express his rights just like you do.

  13. Contd
    (9) Edgar Lungu from Chawama inherited the PF after it’s owner died. True or false – Ans- True.
    (10) Guy was a friend to Sata the two founded together PF which Edgar Lungu has taken over. True or false. Ans- True
    (11) Kambwili complained about Dora Siliya joining PF. True or false.
    Ans- True.

    (12) What is happening is confusing to the electorates to see people they voted out massively on account of corruption being brought back to govern. True or false. Ans- True

    My question is what is malicious going by definition since there is no falsehood in what this guy sang. Release him you PF guys because you are just making him popular. His song will be a hit in next years’ election if PF continues at this rate.

    • you go and give him support in cells. you are not helping him by hiding behind that screen and wherever you call it.

    • Is it true that Lungu carried Jamesson brand in a suitcase from chawama to state house? how does this sound?

  15. I do not see why everyone seems to be deliberately missing the point. That song is not only about whatever truth the chap is saying, but it is also about the rude attitude in the delivery. It is okay to have issues with governments, or with heads of state, but there is a way of arranging words with a sense of responsibility. Sensationalism and shock-mongering should not be defended in the name of freedom of expression. Freedom also comes with responsibility. Unfortunately, most of our youth and people in general are not well informed or educated, and this sort of sensationalism can have the effect of misleading the feeble-minded.

    • Step out of the way of the YOUTH!!! Most of you have overstayed your usefulness – over 70 and still begging for jobs and foreign service posting! We need a generational turnover at this rate – it is getting ridiculous. And – wait – Monkey Banana!!??? Why did I even bother…

    • Lungu if u have failed rule this country its better u step down than arresting innocent people and am telling u if u contineu with this same manners u will go no were u ba pf ,coz for me I can’t any thing wrong with pilato its just the miss understanding with u people so let him go and continue with his program , if u have failed to rule this country its better u tell zambian people that we have failed to rule

  18. The so called freedom of expression is wrongly used by most of the commentators! Freedom must come with responsibilities and we should also be mindful of the rights of other citizens! You cant just wake up and start ranting useless things in the name of freedom of expression! This chap must be taught how to shave amaso pamatako! he is too dirty and an embarrassment to the Zambian music industry!

  19. People like Chanda chimba, Edward Mumbi etc insulted sata with impunity but he never arrested them and yet Sata was supposed to be a scary monster. Those who thought Lungu was weak and a nice guy have got another thing coming.

  21. Actually Pilato should also be charged for copyright infringement because lylics of his controversial song are exactly that of Nashil Pitchen Kazembe’s a Phiri anabwera. If Nashil Pitchen has relatives living please let them sue the chap for copyright infringement of A Phiri anabwera.

  22. Well done ZP!!this pig called Pilato has joined bantustan dreamers despite him being Fumba Chama!!how i wish PF lovers in police cell can give him some beatings!!!LET TRIBAL HH FREE PILATO NOW?HE IS A F00L SO LET HIM DANCE TO HIS TUNE!!WISE MUSICIANS LIKE JK,DANDY CRAZY DO HIT SONGS FOR PF AND NEVER INSULT ANYONE!!but HH gave Pilato some ngwees to insult president Lungu and those are the results!!LET OP DEAL WITH THIS DIRTY F00L WHILE IN CELLS SO THAT ONCE HE IS OUT,HE GOES TO CHINGWERE FAST!!F00LS MUST NOT SUPPORTED.WE NEED MATURE POLITICS AND NOT POLITICS OF HATE PROMOTED BY TRIBAL HH!!ONCE MORE CONGRATS TO ZP FOR ARRESTING THIS DIRTY PIG!!!

    • Tell us about kambwili stealing council land? or the $25 million airport manee theft, or the $113 million oil manee theft. Instead of solving real issues affecting our economy, you want to harrassing pipo

    • His final resting place is Kawama cemetery in Ndola ngatwamushika tukabikepo paluputa ifisasa fya myotoka shilya shaba pa Chifubu police station so that on the last day when christ comes to raise the dead he can fail to move out of his grave because of the broken down vehicles that we shall put on his grave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • YOU ARE A SADIST LIKE KATANGA AND LUNGU.
      GOD IS SEEING THE INJUSTICE TO HIS PEOPLE AND HE WILL REVENGE. THOSE RESPONSIBLE WILL BE MADE TO EAT GRASS ONE DAY LIKE IT HAPPENED TO NEBUCHADINEZZAR. REMEMBER ONE GHADAFFI WHO WAS SO POWERFUL BUT DIED LIKE A RAT. ALSO REMEMBER A SADDAM HUSSEIN OF IRAQUI WHO LIVED LIKE A MOLE IN HOLE AT THE END OF HIS LIFE. TREAT YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS WELL AS THEY ARE CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE. WHEN YOU MISTREAT THEM YOU INSULT THEIR CREATOR IN WHOSE IMAGE THEY ARE CREATED. LESA NI MALYOTOLA AS SATA SAID.

  25. First they came for the Communists but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists but I was not one of them, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews but I was not Jewish so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.
    Martin Niemoeller

    This is 2015 for Christ’s sake…LUNGU is a lawyer and he knows better. IF anything happens to the youngman, he will be held accountable. LUNGU must not forget that he will not be president forever..Zambians are not fools. WHAT A SHAME……

  26. CANNOT WAIT 2016 AS PF’S GRAVE IS NOW READY. ABASH TO POLITICS OF INTIMIDATION. THE PEOPLE SHALL PREVIAL AND WILL PILATO. CHAKOLWA’S DAYS ARE NUMBERED..HE TOO WILL JOIN FTJ, BENNIE MWIINGA, MUSHOTA, GENERAL TEMBO AS GOD HAS A WAY OF PUNISHING PLUNDERERS AND DICTATORS. OUR GOD IS ABLE…HE WILL SURELY STRIKE THEM WITH MIGHT…AMEN GOD OF ABRAHAM, GOD OF ISAAC

  27. Pf instead of harrassing artists, why not investigate the $113 million over charge and theft of oil manee, or the $25 million airport manee theft? And the Pf supporters you think arresting artists instead of trying to get to the bottom of these scandals is better?.

  28. Let this dirty f00l rot in the cells.He does not deserve any one’s sympathy because he was given an opportunity to apologise but he refused. So let us meet him in court and teach some clean manners.

  29. 2016 Upnd will become extinct and I foresee a credible opposition party coming out of PF just before 2021 elections as all the present parties shall vanish away . Pilato jailed barubas released.

  31. LIKE I SAID PILATO EVEN LIED HE WAS IN NAKONDE NOW HE IS IN A ELL AND I SAID WE SHALL CATCH AND FISH YOU AND HE THOUGHT GOING WITH LAWYERS HE WOULD BE A FREE MAN KKKKKK DRAMA HAS JUST STARTED AND LET THE JAIL BOYS TREAT HIM A BIT BY THE TIME HE APPEARS IN COURT HAHAHA HE WILL WISH HE WAS NOT BORN. WHATEVER YOU DO HAVE LIMITS

  32. Stella Libongani is one spineless Police IG since Zambia got independence she has created a completely Political police force with no clue of professionalism. Ati bakapokola fuseke.

  33. Stella and Katanga are useless police cadre officers. Their days are numbered. They will end up worse than Mary Tembo. We demand release of Pilato. Let lawyers and everyone demand Pilato to be released. Arrest Davis Chama who shot a person. Lungu will not last forever and he is not God to be worshipped. Where is Sata? He is gone. Same will happen to Lungu and everyone. So don’t please, Lungu for the sake of jobs. Pilato’s song is true. You advocating the seeing of Pilato, tell me which song in Zambia is not based on the lyrics or tune by someone else? Where do your useless Zambian rappers get their style from? Let the father of rappers sue them also.

    • Ba Chitogfwa go to school naimwe – in intellectual property law there is what is called moral rights and economic rights. Under moral rights you have what is known as paternity right and integrity right. Paternity right is the right of the author or creator of a work to be identified as its author.
      The moral right of integrity allows authors to prevent certain modifications/distortion/mutilation/derogatory action to their artworks. The right is maintained by the author even where the ownership of the copyright in her work has passed out of her hands

      So know something before you start misleading people.

  34. We will play that song well in 2016.

    Not all men behind jail are sinners. Other great men have been behind jail for telling the truth and speaking for the minority.

    Yours is not a criminal arrest but a political arrest. You must be a very proud man. If you had sang against an opposition political party like some begging musician would do for cash, Stella Libingani would not have arrested you, but you chose to sing against the might government. Bravoo Pilato.

  37. Have you ever head about the down fall of giants, this is the beging of the down fall of PF as a party. People are watching and if LUNGU is going to be this heavy handed then he will go no where. Seasoned politicians never give ear to such petty issues, because if they did it means that their stamina will be compromised. I just ask the police to let the young man go and continue where he left. This is intimidation of the highest order by LUNGU if he allows this one go unchecked. Some people will use such young men for their benefit and if LUNGU goes ahead and gets hard on him then the enemies will have won the battle.

  38. The truth has been branded, outlawed and made illegal. It is dangerous to have the truth in your possession. You can be found guilty and sentenced to death. – Peter Tosh.

  40. Carry your own cross. Freedom has responsibilities. Lungu, besides being the president, is a Zambian national entitled to all rights just as anybody else. Prepare your defense as the law takes it’s course.

    • Ba Nyau and you call that freedom of expression………why are you hiding your name if its freedom of expression.

      Is it okay if we call your dad idiót as you have done. You guys you never cease to amuse……….no wonder you will never win, and very good and talented at pointing to the next election ati mulewina after every defeat.

    • ba Mwape,
      I will let my old man speak for himself but you can call me an idiót any time you feel like. I assure you I will not sue you, try to throw your áss in jail or even so much as give you an evil look. You know why your name-calling would not bother me? Because I do not have an inferiority complex so I do not rely on other people to define me.

      And if you don’t like my given name of Nyau you are free to call me by any fabricated name of your choice.

  42. PILATO IS A BRAVE YOUNG MAN AND HIS COURAGE SHOULD BE COMMENDED. HE HAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT THE CONCERNS OF MANY. THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA SHOULD NOT AND WILL NOT SIT IDLY BY WHILE OUR COUNTRY AND FREEDOMS ARE WASTING AWAY. THIS HAS NOW BECOME A FREEDOM FIGHT AND WILL TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE AND APPLY ALL LEGAL AVENUES TO GIVE BACK THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA THIER FREEDOM.
    ABASH INTIMIDATION
    VIVA FREEDOM
    FREE PILATO NOW!!!!

  43. COULD THIS BE THE REASON WHY THE GOVERNMENT IS RELUCTANT TO PASS THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL? OUR MEDIA HOUSES OR ACTIVISTS MUST NOW SHOW TO US HOW THEY WILL MANAGE TO CONTROL EXTREME CHARACTERS LIKE PILATO. THE HEAD OF STATE MUST NOT BE DAFAMED IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. AS IT IS NOW, FIB WILL JUST BE A LOOSE CANON IF PASSED. FIB MAY NOT BE RELATED TO PILATO’S CASE
    BUT THEY HAVE A LOT IN COMMON.

  44. Very good for him, in Zambia we do not condone ifyebupuba. Pilato should differentiate freedom of expression from defamation. Nobody is allowed to insult and defame others with impunity. People must understand that freedom of expression is not freedom to attack others verbally. Wake up and let us some integrity in our quest to express ourselves period.

  45. This saves him, Pilato, well. Freedom of expression has limits and shoud not be abused at the expense of others…and ba MISA…Hellen, stop misleading…..and to think freedom of expression shud mean chibwi no plan or chimbe yimbe music…!!! Respect…important.

  46. @Stuck, kindly point out the lack of respect in the Lungu Anabwela song? The level of Zambian politics and policing is absolutely horrendous. It is easy for a president to pardon his criminal friends as found by the law, than to sit down and reflect on the criticism as reported in the Lungu Anabwela song? I love respect, and mark the word LOVE , but the lack of it towards President in Pilato’s song, that I find questionable.

  47. Mervis Dinda and Clerucio is one person using different names to support wrong doing by Police. They should just release the man

  48. In UK and USA, the sitting president would just laugh it off, here the police arrest for satire. Still at stone age, yet to reach iron age. How sad

  49. In the weeks leading up to the 2004 US presidential elections, rapper Eminem released a scathing anti-Bush song titled Mosh. You can check out the entire lyrics but below is a small excerpt. George Bush was man enough not to throw Eminem in jail. He did nothing even close to the stúpidity of ka Lungu.

    “…Stomp, push, shove, mush, fúck Bush
    Until they bring our troops home, c’mon, just…

    …Maybe we can reach Al Qaeda through my speech
    Let the President answer a high anarchy
    Strap him with a AK 47, let him go fight his own war
    Let him impress Daddy that way…”

  50. Ba Police please Keep him there just up to Monday next week then he can learn not to insult others anyhow under the guise of freedom of expression.

  51. Something wrong with Zambia’s constitution. Thank God I’m a South African because I can say it out loud and without fear that an illiterate chap called ZUMA IS A MORON!!!

  53. A president is nothing more than a ‘public servant’. If he is not doing his job properly he must be criticised and dealt with That is why in South Africa Zuma is criticised and mocked all the time

  54. Its difficult to distinguish between Pilato and one of those mad people in freedom way. No wander he can sing such songs. He could have communicated the same messege in a better way and stay out of trouble. Give other people to edit your songs before you release them..

  56. This is stupidity at its worst! Now that is defamation coming from me!
    If these people have any brains at all they should go and exhume Sata’ a body and put it under arrest! Pilato used Sata’s own words! What is defamatory in that? With rotten mentality like this you can never develop as a country!

  57. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!! Who the hell did he kill for him not to be granted bail? I have no single ounce of respect left for PF and his president!!!

  58. let pilato loit in cells cos tts wat he wanted ukuimona bu star ati freedom of expression pakufuma muma cells kufuma ulenunka nemiswii i think u will learn how to use yo expression next time.

  59. Tell the arresting officer that he is a embacile that does not deserve to wear a ZP police uniform.

  60. COPALA 4 LIFE, LET PILATO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, AND AND IF YOU WHANT MAKE YOUR YOUR OWN SONG AND SING I REPEAT AND SING INFACT HOW PLAY THIS SONG LOUD AT MY NIGH CLUB WITHOUT FEAR. KIKIKIKIKIKIKI PILATOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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