Tonse Alliance condemns arrest of late president Lungu’s political advisor, Zimba

The Tonse Alliance has expressed shock on the arrest of late President Edgar Lungu’s Political Advisor, Dr. Chris Zimba, over an alleged offence of criminal libel and harassment following a report made by MMD leader, Dr. Nevers Mumba.

Alliance spokesperson, Sean Tembo, accused President Hakainde Hichilema of siding with Mumba by allegedly sending police officers to arrest Zimba despite knowing the long-standing and well documented personal feud between the two individuals.

Tembo in a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday said it was a matter of public record that Mumba and Zimba had been quarreling and exchanging accusations and counter-accusations, as well as demand letters through their respective lawyers.

He said this was done in a public manner, using the media, for close to 2 years and that the two had each promised to sue one another in the courts of law.

Tembo stated that the approach by the public had been to wait and see, who would be found at fault, should these individuals take each other to court.

“However, despite the heated public exchange of demand letters between the lawyers of Dr. Mumba and those of Dr. Zimba, none of the parties was courageous enough to institute civil proceedings against the other, in the courts of law,” he said.

Tembo noted that the matter had therefore been in abeyance for more than a year.

“In so doing, Mr Hakainde Hichilema abused the authority of his office as Republican President, by using the Police to take sides in a personal feud between two private citizens,” he said.

Tembo expressed shock that Zimba had been arrested barely two years after he was arrested and detained for more than 8 months at Chimbokaila Prison on alleged frivolous charge of terrorism, which the Lusaka High Court dismissed.

“We ask because it is a matter of public record that President Hakainde Hichilema’s friend and political ally; Dr. Mumba is a convicted felon who is out on bail pending appeal,” Tembo said.

He claimed that Mumba was convicted for corruption and sentenced to about 2 years imprisonment, more than 4 years ago, just before President Hichilema was elected into office.

Tembo, however, alleged that to date, Mumba had not served his sentence, and that his appeal had not been heard by the High Court, and continues to roam the streets on bail pending appeal.

“To the contrary, we have seen that the appeals of President Hichilema’s political adversaries such as Dr. Chishimba Kambwili and others, are fast-tracked,” he said.

Tembo stated that it was a matter of public record that Dr. Chishimba Kambwili, who was convicted barely a year ago, and who was out on bail pending appeal, had his appeal heard and upheld last week, and was now serving his sentence at Milima Prison in Kasama.

He demanded for an explanation as to why criminal justice of perceived political adversaries was fast-tracked, while that of political allies was shelved.

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