Soldiers raid Katele’s house, pick him

By NATION REPORTER A COMBINED team of the Zambia Army, the Zambia Police and state agents yesterday raided the residence of Dr Katele Kalumba in Chiengi and picked up the former Finance Minister for unknown reasons, his wife, Lumba Kalumba has confirmed. And early yesterday, Dr Kalumba disclosed that he was about to be abducted by state agents who allegedly went to his lodge pretending that they were visiting him to check on how he was doing with his health. Ms Kalumba told Millennium TV yesterday that her husband had been picked up from his residence in Chienge by soldiers and state agents in plain clothes. According to Ms Kalumba, the incident took place yesterday around 12:30 hours, after which Dr Kalumba was reportedly taken to Chienge Police Station. Speaking in an interview with Millennium TV, Ms Kalumba said her husband was later informed that he would be taken to Mansa, but the family remained uncertain about his eventual destination. “The family attempted to provide him with his medication before he was taken away, but the soldiers left before the medication could be delivered. Dr Kalumba requires daily medication due to several health conditions and taken away in the company of his traditional attendant,” Ms Kalumba said. She has also expressed concern about Dr Kalumba’s health, citing a spinal condition, a fractured ankle that she said had been slow to heal, and a congenital cardiac disorder. Ms Kalumba has described the severity of her husband’s health conditions as those that required regular medication, which she fears may not be readily available in Mansa. “The family has not yet been informed of the charges against Dr Kalumba. We are waiting for information from the authorities on where he is being taken and the reasons for his detention,” she said. Dr Kalumba, one of the founding members of MMD, yesterday called for the release of opposition leaders Brian Mundubile, his running mate Makebi Zulu and 16 other leaders detained at Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility in Kabwe on treason charges, saying the country needs peace and reconciliation after the disputed August 13 general elections. Dr Kalumba said President Hakainde Hichilema should use his authority to lower political tensions and release opposition figures who were incarcerated after challenging the government. “Now you (Hakainde Hichilema) have been inaugurated. You are now the President of the Republic. Exercise your power. Bring the temperature down. Release the people who are incarcerated, who are challenging you. Why would government plot to abduct me?” Dr Kalumba said. He said releasing those in detention would help create an environment for reconciliation and unity in a country that has been deeply fractured after the August 13 general elections. Meanwhile Zambia We Want Secretary General Muhabi Lungu has questioned the reported involvement of state agents and the Zambia Army in the arrest of a civilian, calling for clarity on the circumstances surrounding the incident. Mr Lungu said it remained unclear what offence the individual had allegedly committed, noting that even the man’s wife was reportedly uncertain about the reasons for his arrest. He questioned the involvement of the military in what appeared to be a domestic law-enforcement matter. “Why should the army be arresting people? Are we in a military state or something?” Mr Lungu asked, while questioning whether any state of emergency had been declared to warrant the use of military personnel in such circumstances. Mr Lungu, however, cautioned that he would reserve further comment until more information was available about why the individual had been taken into custody and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. “If this is true, this is just complete madness,” he said. By press time, when contacted for comment, Zambia Police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi said his office had not received any information or report concerning the alleged arrest.

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