Friday, December 13, 2024

Kambwili begins defence in ‘hate speech’ case

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Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) member of the Central Committee, Chishimba Kambwili, has appeared in the Kasama Magistrate Court for commencement of defense in the case in which he is charged with the offence of expressing hatred and ridicule for people based on tribe and place of origin.

Mr Kambwili, 54, of house number 9, Wisteria Avenue, Luanshya, appeared before Kasama Resident Magistrate, Samson Mumba.

Giving his evidence, Mr Kambwili argued that in his address during a radio programme at Radio Mano in Kasama in 2021, did not issue any hate speech against the Tonga people of Southern Province.

He said on the contrary, he was reacting to alleged tribal remarks attributed to the then opposition UPND president, Hakainde Hichilema and party member, Buumba Malambo in a video that went viral on social media.

Mr Kambwili added that his message was also centered on campaigning for the PF in the run up to the 2021 general elections.

“I am extremely shocked that my innocent address to the Zambians during the radio programme can be classified as hate speech and ridicule against the Tonga speaking people,” said Mr Kambwili.

He added that his message during the radio programme was centered on advising people not to tolerate politicians advocating for voting on tribal lines.

Mr Kambwili further questioned the evidence presented by the seven prosecution witnesses before the court alleging that the case seems to be that of political persecution and intimidation.

“The indictment drafters were merely cherry picking items in the recorded programme to suit their motives. As a politician, I have no reason to demean any of the 73 tribes domiciled in the Republic of Zambia,” he added.

However, the state lawyers objected to the move by the defense to play an audio recording in court as evidence because it contained some remarks that needed a Tonga interpreter.

Kasama Resident Magistrate, Samson Mumba ruled that the defense must therefore secure a Tonga interpreter.

Magistrate Mumba has since adjourned the matter to 20th October, 2023 for continued defense.

28 COMMENTS

  1. This is rubbish!
    Who hasn’t seen that what Kambwili told the Zambian people before the 2021 general elections has come to pass? Most appointments in govt, govt boards and parastatals, foreign service, defense chiefs, police service, judiciary and other quasi-govt bodies are all tilted towards Tonga people. So this case must be dismissed with the highest contempt it deserves.

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    • That is a lie. You are angry because HH is practising tribal balancing. You are angry because everyone is not Mwila, Mwape, Mwelwa and all your other names.

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  2. No tribe should ever think they are more superior than others. Any sane Zambian needs to condemn the likes of Kambwili. Tribalism in PF should never have been tolerated & neither should it be tolerated in the UPND govt. Any form of Tribalism from any party or leader should always be condemned. For those that didn’t see it fit to condemn Kambwili in PF they should equally keep quiet now if they think there is Tribalism in UPND because they simply hypocrites. Political leaders should always be above tribes in talk & action. Politics should be issue based not about tribal alignments. That said, Kambwili belongs in the history books. He should never ever be an option as a political leader because he is morally bankrupted. What a disgrace to Zambians

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  3. …………

    I hope he gets taught an unforgettable lesson……..

    Kambwili is one of the biggest tribalists going………..

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  4. Tongas can call a Bemba a Bemba no problem.
    But let just ask ati bushe muliba Tonga and all hell will break loose.
    Nobody chose their tribe so be proud of it.

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  5. Punish him to deter would be championing tribalism

    Is he standing between PF and his party??
    NOT FIT TO BE A LEADER IN A MULTI TRIBAL COUNTRY

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  6. No neck Kambwili is a tribal serpent.He should be banned from leadership and politics for incitement otherwise we’ll have another Rwanda genocide.

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  7. N .. so when you are corrupt you just get transferred? This is a good government. It doesn’t punish you as long as you are there own.

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