TODAY THEY HAVE DETAINED DR M’MEMBE, TOMORROW IT WILL BE YOU – KATEKA
…..says UPND Government is focused on punishing individuals
Lusaka… Friday, August 9, 2024
The United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) has expressed concern that criticizing the President has become a crime under the UPND Government.
This follows the detention of Socialist Party President Dr Fred M’membe for alleged seditious practices.
Last month, DR M’membe posted on his social media platforms an article titled “Tshisekedi tells DRC Catholic Bishops about the USD 20 Million Pay-out to buy Zambia’s silence” in which he raised corruption alarm and volunteered to offer evidence.
Zambian authorities are of the view that raising corruption issues are tantamount to posting content intended to bring hatred or contempt against the government.
UKA Deputy National Chairperson Chishala Kateka stated, “Sedition is something these people have misinterpreted to be criticizing their demi-god.”
Speaking from Twin Palm Police where Dr M’membe is detained, Ms Kateka said the Socialist Party Leader merely raised important issues and clearly stated that he has got evidence.
She questioned why the police arrested him instead of asking for evidence.
Ms Kateka said criticizing the President should not be a crime in a democracy.
“For them, as long as you criticize the President, you are committing a crime. That works in a dictatorial system, but in Zambia, we are a democracy, and the opposition raises issues. That is what Dr. M’membe did. He raised issues, he said he has evidence. Why can’t you ask for evidence rather than putting him in cells,” she said.
And Ms Kateka has charged that Zambia has degenerated into a police state. She said the current government is focused on punishing individuals.
Ms Kateka said such is not the leadership the Zambian people voted for.
“Today it might be Dr M’Membe, tomorrow it will be me or you. Now, there are some misunformed citizens who are happy with what they are seeing and thinking that it is okay for politicians to be put in cells, but they are going to come for you as citizens. It is not just about politicians,” she said.
This is meant to ensure that Mr. Mmembe gives the evidence he claims to have in court of law under oath. Nothing wrong with that. At the same time it is meant to ensure that people desist from making allegations they cannot prove under oath.
These current opposition political leaders are useless especially that they are associating with the most useless leader, they all become the same.
Umusuku uubi……
This is Akainde Ichilema for you.
Ever since Ms. Chishala Kateka joined UKA, she has stopped making sense when speaks. She used to make a lot of sense in the past and I had hope that we will have someone who is progressive but alas she has proven me wrong. Surely she knows there is a cyber security law which makes it a crime to publish false information on the cyber space. Secondly and most importantly, the statement made by Mr. Mmembe boarders on national security as he included foreign heads of state in his accusations. What kind of leaders do we have in opposition who don’t care about our national security and only care about themselves?
I cry for my intelligent friend who has suddenly lost her intelligent objective perspective on life since she became a member of christians for Lungu. Christians we need to pray earnestly for our sister to come back to Christ the true living God. Chishala you criticize HH, why have you not been arrested? Why Mmembe? It’s what Mmembe has said which is different from your way of criticizing. Mmembe returned from Venezuela where he supported a despot who crushed all possible opposition. You can actually stand with your head high and claim Mmembe is arrested for criticizing our president? Why are you supporting those going into politics out of bitterness of lost opportunity to loot country’s resources? Can you sincerely believe in what Mmembe is doing or in what Edgar Lungu’ s crocodile tears? Edgar has stated he is fighting for his family’s ill gotten wealthy and so that they are not jailed because he used them to launder looted resources.
It’s only in PF were they used to detaine or beat people without a crime committed so aaah nooo tomorrow it can’t be me unless I commit a crime, which I will not lol