BY NATION REPORTER
I know there is an invisible hand behind my dramatic arrest just to fix me but I am not intimidated or broken because my voice will be louder than before, former Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo has said.
Mr Kampyongo, who was granted K50, 000 bail by Chinsali resident magistrate Julius Malata, after spending two nights in police custody, said if it was a genuine police operation, the call out would have come from Chinsali and not Lusaka.
Mr Kampyongo, a PF Shiwang’andu Member of Parliament, told the Daily Nation in an interview that his dramatic arrest was meant to fix him but he was not intimidated because the truth would come out.
“If it was a genuine police operation, I would have been given a call out from Chinsali and I would have made myself available just like I did when I was called at Chelstone Police Station in Lusaka. When I was called, my lawyers were even assured that it was just for interviews and it didn’t make sense to be warned and cautioned in Lusaka, only to come and get arrested in Chinsali.
“But I don’t feel intimidated at all and my people should just know that we are really resolved. The only worrying thing is that if the Head of State had made pronouncement specially to talk about me during campaigns and what he wanted to see happen to me when in power, and then things start happening in this fashion, you get worried. But not to say I am intimidated or broken down in anyway, I am still solid and I will continue working for my people of Shiwang’andu,” he said.
He added, “It’s aluta continua. The voices will be much louder than before.”
He said it was annoying that he was removed from parliament when members were debating the national budget.
“I am not worried because I know that the truth shall be known. It is just a bit annoying to be moved out of parliament when we are considering the budget. They sent a call out to me when I was in Parliament and I obliged. I made myself available, but of course, I would have loved the call out to come from Chinsali where the matter is alleged to have happened and I was going to make myself available.”
Mr Kampyongo said Government should focus on delivering on the campaign promises and not fixing individuals.
“If it is the State trying to fix us the people, I would ask them to just concentrate on fixing the issues affecting the Zambian people. Zambian people are very clever, if you promised them cheaper fuel and electricity and then you increase without getting back to them, they will need answers. These are the things that they need to focus on,” Mr Kampyongo said.
Mr Kampyongo who said he was not above the law but there was need for the right procedure to be followed when dealing with citizens suspected of having committed crimes.
“But I appreciate and understand the circumstances in which the police are operating. Of course I have no complaint at all with the way they handled my case but I just urge them to continue being professional and not bow to any pressure,” he said.
