I’m happy I wasn’t jailed – Saboi
OPPOSITION leader, Saboi Imboela is filled with gratitude after she escaped going to jail while hanging on a thread.
Yesterday, Imboela paid off her jail fine of K25,000, a judgement she claimed was unfair, but still better than serving a jail term.
The United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) member said she managed to pay all the k25,000 that she was charged for defaming State House Specialist, Clayson Hamasaka.
However, Imboela believes the whole case was beyond the defamation and rather political, leading to the judgment not being entirely fair, especially that she was just a first offender.
“But anyway, I’m just glad I didn’t go to jail,” she told Kalemba.
Imboela was sued for defamation of character by Hamasaka and was charged with two counts of libel before the Lusaka Magistrate court.
She was then given then convicted and ordered to pay a fine last week to continue her political career or serve a nine months simple imprisonment, if she did not pay the money by yesterday.
Meanwhile, Imboela also took time to clarify on the rumors that she is being funded by the UPND government, adding that the K25,000 was raised by herself and some sympathisers from the council of presidents, and UKA members.
“No one from the UPND helped me. Just there and then when the court passed the judgement, I began receiving calls from people who told me they were willing to help me raise money. Some people from the UKA and Council of Presidents helped me raise the money. So unlike the way some people are saying that I’m being funded by the UPND, no, that is false, no member of the UPND helped me,” Imboela added.
She also criticized the current government for something she described as bad politics where Imboela accuses them of using every little opportunity to jail opposition leaders.
Imboela added that despite the Facebook rantings, she shares a normal relationship with Hamasaka..
“Hamasaka and I would even share messages on WhatsApp, we would share screenshots of posts attacking us on Facebook. So that’s why I say, my case was politically handled. But anyway, i’m just glad I did not serve a jail term,” reiterated Imboela.
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba November 26, 2024
The fact that you are a first offender,you did not serve a custodial sentence.
There are should be maturity and levelheadedness in the way opposition political party members and the general public commit on national issues. When offering the so called checks and balances to the government people should speak the truth than base their arguments on speculations and falsehood.
No words of remorse from Saboi Imboela. She’s a politician and saying she’s too indecent to apologise. She doesn’t even see this attitude as a disadvantage in politics. You don’t have to be decent in politics.
The Judge did society a disfavour in the matter. Nothing to mitigate licency for this woman. I guess with people who can not control their mouths, time will tell us and hope the penal code has sterner conviction terms for unrepentant sinners
At least you have not gone astray (Pontered) which shows that the reformation process is working, thanks to the Judiciary.
Buumba,cheers!! Your reporting is now up to the mark! You have cut the mustard!!!