By KALOBWE BWALYA
PATRIOTS for Economic Progress (PEP) president Sean Tembo yesterday refused to give his finger prints to the police as one of the bond conditions.
Lawyer Jonas Zimba said the police wanted Mr Tembo to leave his finger prints but that this was only applicable to prisoners and that his client was just a suspect.
“We rejected this and we were ready to go to the court but they later changed their minds and gave him bond,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Tembo was released after being slapped with the offence of Hate Speech contrary to Section 65 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021 of the Laws of Zambia after spending five days in police cells.
Meanwhile, acting Patriotic Front (PF) president Given Lubinda has said the Police are not being factual by claiming that Mr Tembo’s lawyers did not show up when they were present on Friday but the Police were playing a cat and mouse game.
Mr Lubinda said he was shocked that police spokesperson Rae Haamonga indicated that Mr Tembo was the one who was delaying the process because his legal counsel was not present when they wanted to charge him for the lawyers were ready as of Friday.
“The Police should stop this game and tell the nation the truth rather than telling such lies, Mr Tembo’s lawyers were at Woodlands Police but the people who were in charge were not present, so why should they create such an impression,” he said.
Mr Lubinda disclosed that Mr Tembo’s lawyers were at the police station on the material day he was arrested, but police “maneuvered” to ensure he was not charged.
Mr Lubinda however stated that the UPND has failed because Mr Tembo wasn’t broken as he was looking forward to being charged so that he can vindicate himself.
Mr Lubinda said every person who has been a leader knows that they are bound to be criticised constantly and if President Hichilema can’t stand it he should then leave politics.
