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Acting Patriotic Front (PF) President, Given Lubinda, has warned opposition leaders to “practise to sleep on the floor” as he claimed they were all bound to face arrests and detention under the United Party for National Development (UPND) government.
Speaking on Thursday at the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court in solidarity with PF Deputy Secretary-General, Miles Sampa, Lubinda urged party members to remain strong and mentally prepared for what he described as targeted political repression.
“So please, my friends, all of us, let us practise to sleep on the floor because we are all bound to be brought before cells and prison. Let’s prepare ourselves. Always have bombasa on, because you never know when Hakainde will say, arrest this one,” he said.
Read more: Sampa granted K1 million bail after spending two nights in police cell
Lubinda also criticised security measures at the court, saying police conduct undermined democratic principles and transparency.
“Courts are supposed to be open to the public. No one is supposed to come and identify themselves before entering the precincts of court. But today we saw young police recruits manning gates and asking people to identify themselves before accessing court premises. This is totally unacceptable in a democracy,” he said.
He argued that the Constitution guaranteed open justice.
“The judiciary exercises power that belongs to the people, and all cases that take place in court are open to the public. The Constitution of Zambia provides that justice must be dispensed in a transparent manner,” Lubinda said.
Regarding the arrest of Sampa, Lubinda criticised the police for acting unfairly and selectively.
“Finally, Miles Sampa has been brought to court. He should have been brought to court much earlier. As a matter of fact, the police should have granted him bond. They didn’t have to wait for the court to give him bail,” he said.
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