Police formally arrested and charged five individuals, including Bowman Lusambo, a prominent figure associated with the Patriotic Front (PF), for the offense of Unlawful Assembly. The charges are in contravention of Section 74 and 75 of the Penal Code Act Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

The individuals arrested are Bowman Lusambo, 47, of Chamba Valley in Lusaka; Saidi Chibwana, 52, of Industrial Area in Kabwe; Matthews Changwe, 39, of Kasanda Mine Area in Kabwe; Martin Simfukwe, 44, of Makululu Compound in Kabwe; and Billy Sichamba, 52, of Bwacha in Kabwe. The alleged offense occurred on November 2, 2023, at Kabwe town center along the Great North Road in Kabwe District.

Police Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga, confirmed the joint arrest and charges, emphasizing the alleged violation of laws pertaining to assembly. All suspects have been released on police bond and are expected to appear in court in the near future.

However, the arrests have triggered a wave of controversy, with political commentator Chilufya Tayali, self-proclaimed “Public Lawyer of the Public Court of Opinions,” expressing skepticism about the Patriotic Fronts reaction to the situation. Tayali questioned whether the previous administration, the PF, would have tolerated a similar scenario during their tenure.

Tayali further urged those in opposition to exercise restraint, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace in the country. He cautioned against playing the victim and highlighted the need for responsible political behavior.

“Police Public relations officer have told you, you are not in power, behave yourselves,we need order.” he said.

“Let’s be honest, would PF, when they were in power, allow UPND cadres to just spring up anywhere in support of any of their leaders like what happened to Bowman Lusambo in Kabwe where he had been summoned by police.
Why do you want to play victim when you know better about such politics. Just behave yourselves, you are not in power. We want peace in our Country.What do you expect the police to do when you have outnumbered them as cadres,” Tayli reiterated

In a courtroom drama unfolding at the Kawambwa Magistrate Court, Member of Parliament for Kawambwa, Nickson Chilangwa, has formally requested the dismissal of charges leveled against him, pointing to what he claims are glaring inconsistencies in the testimonies provided by state witnesses.

Mr. Chilangwa, represented by his defense counsel Jonas Zimba, argued that the statements from state witnesses, including a police officer, did not align, highlighting a significant absence of recorded entries in the Occurrence Book at Kawambwa Police Station between August 12 and August 18, 2021.

During his defense, Mr. Chilangwa urged the court to scrutinize the testimonies, expressing skepticism over the reliability of medical reports presented before it. He alleged that these reports were fraudulently prepared as an “afterthought” on August 15, three days after the incident in question occurred on August 12, 2021.

The lawmaker criticized the police for what he deemed an inadequate and unprofessional investigation, asserting that numerous gaps in the state’s testimonies had vindicated him. He urged the court to place more weight on the evidence provided by a former Police Officer in Charge who testified that he did not fire gunshots in the air and that Mr. Chilangwa and his co-accused were not present when the Mahindra vehicle was burnt.

Mr. Chilangwa suggested that his inclusion in the case was politically motivated, citing a state witness, John Lukwesa, who claimed in a recorded video that he was instructed by United Party for National Development (UPND) officials to implicate Mr. Chilangwa and others.

In a surprising revelation, Mr. Chilangwa asserted that the Mahindra motor vehicle, which he is accused of burning, has two different engine numbers. He argued that the engine numbers appearing in the police officer’s photo album and the white book were inconsistent, implying the possibility of two vehicles being involved.

Furthermore, Mr. Chilangwa contended that, according to information in the white book, the Mahindra motor vehicle belonged to an individual named Obed Mulomba, contrary to the indictment and testimonies by state witnesses claiming it was property of the UPND.

Adding to his defense, Mr. Chilangwa informed the court that the police had issued an alert notice to impound the vehicle, alleging its occupants were instigating violence in Kawambwa.

The court adjourned the proceedings in the late afternoon, with the continuation of Mr. Chilangwa’s defense scheduled for today. The case involves Pambashe Member of Parliament Ronald Chitotela and Mr. Chilangwa, along with five others, facing charges of arson, malicious damage to property, threatening violence, and assault.

The Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, has highlighted the significant challenge of social media propaganda that the Government is currently facing. Speaking to diplomatic staff at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia, Mr. Mweetwa expressed concern over the misuse of social media platforms by some Zambians to spread misleading information and undermine the achievements and economic progress made by the government.

Mr. Mweetwa emphasized that it is unfortunate that social media is being used as a tool to sway citizens away from appreciating the substantial efforts and developments accomplished by the government. He urged diplomats to disregard social media propaganda and focus on the tangible results and positive impact that the government has achieved.

The Chief Government Spokesperson, who also serves as the Information and Media Minister, asserted that the government has successfully restored the economy and promoted national unity. He highlighted the transformation in which all regions of Zambia are now actively participating in the country’s comprehensive development agenda.

In addressing the diplomatic staff, Mr. Mweetwa stated, “Unlike in the past, all regions in Zambia are now active participants in the country’s development agenda. We have achieved economic stability and fostered a sense of oneness among our citizens.”

Trevor Sichombo, Charge D’Affaires at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia, expressed gratitude to Minister Mweetwa for his visit and for providing the diplomatic staff with updates on crucial developmental matters. The diplomatic community plays a vital role in representing Zambia on the global stage, and Mr. Mweetwa’s address aimed to ensure they are well-informed about the government’s achievements and the challenges it currently faces.

Minister Mweetwa is currently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the African Union Specialized Technical Committee Meeting (STC) on Communication and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The meeting serves as a platform for African nations to collaborate and strategize on matters related to communication and technology, reflecting Zambia’s commitment to regional cooperation and development in these sectors.