Fri, 01 Sep 2017 11:23:53 +0000
…AS JACOB ZUMA REFUSES TO CONDEMN LUNGU
By Ketra Kalunga and Bennie Mundando
HAKAINDE Hichilema was yesterday embarrassed when the South African government refused to acknowledge him or attack the Zambian government as demanded by his sponsors, opposition leaders Mmusi Maimane and Julius Malema.
Mr Hichilema was left in the gallery when the group of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) that had taken him to Parliament, were kicked out for unruly behaviour.
President Zuma said his government would not interfere in other countries’ internal
affairs because that was not part of its foreign policy. He said the differences between the Zambian government and the opposition was an internal matter.
Earlier, Mr Hichilema, the United Party for National Development (UPND) leader, who is in South Africa to celebrate his release from incarceration, launched a scathing attack on the Judiciary and Parliament, describing them as compromised entities. He also accused the police of extra-judicial killings.
The UPND leader, in South Africa to decampaign the PF government, has also refused to recognise President Edgar Lungu as duly elected until the election petition filed by his party is heard.
He claimed there was total breakdown of law and order in Zambia while thanking the opposition Democratic Alliance leader, Mmusi Maimane for his support.
Addressing a press conference organised by Mr Maimane, Mr Hichilema, also claimed that the police had wanted to kill him when they went to arrest him. “The intention was to kill us,” he said.
Mr. Hichilema said there is total breakdown in the rule of law, adding that there has been constitutional breaches committed by those in office in Zambia.
He also said it was difficult to recognise President Lungu because the matter was in court and that this resulted from a contentious election. “Results were coming out four days later after they fidgeted with the figure,” he claimed.
And Zambian High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba said it was sad that a Zambian national could travel abroad and speak ill of the country, especially information based on lies and falsehood.
Mr Mwamba described claims by Mr Hichilema as lies and based on total fabrication, stating that Zambia was not facing a breakdown in the rule of law, Judiciary and the outcome of elections were transparent.
Mr Mwamba was reacting to various claims made by Mr Hichilema at a joint press with Mr Maimane in Cape Town.
Mr Hichilema, who skipped a court on Monday on account that he was on bed rest, is in South Africa to celebrate his release from prison with the DA leader.
On Monday, Mr. Hichilema and Mr Mwamba skipped a court case at the Luanshya Magistrates Court on account that both were unwell and the case was adjourned to September 18, 2017.
Mr. Hichilema arrived in Cape Town on Wednesday afternoon on his three-day visit and was hosted by Mr. Maimane.
Both Mr. Maimane’s chief of staff, Geordin Hill-Lewis, and the UPND confirmed that Mr. Hichilema had travelled to South Africa to celebrate his release with the DA.
