Vocal Katele seals mouth as he appears in court
FORMER Cabinet minister Katele Kalumba appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates Court yesterday looking frail and struggling to walk, a stark contrast to the outspoken figure who recently took to Facebook saying; commandos would not make it alive if they were sent to his house.
Kalumba, who is facing one count of seditious practices, contrary to Section 57, 1 (a) and (b) as read with Section 60 (b) and (e) of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, put up a pity party that made him appear to have difficulty speaking when the court asked him whether he understood the charge against him.
The former minister, who previously went live on Facebook for 20 minutes saying if President Hichilema won the 2026 general election, even babies will rise against him, showed reluctance to speak to journalists who sought to establish whether he had apologised to the President, as reported by a newspaper yesterday.
Instead of responding to questions, Kalumba kept quiet as reporters sought his comment on the reported apology.
He also attempted to address the court on bail but was advised to make his request through his lawyer.
Kalumba was escorted from the courtroom towards a reving Kasalanga police vehicle, limping and relying on a Zimmer frame for support as he made his way outside.
His family members, who accompanied him to court, wore apparent worry on their faces as they watched him struggle to walk.
The court adjourned the matter to October 15 for mention, with Kalumba remaining in detention as the prosecution awaited consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to proceed with the case.
Kalumba’s court appearance follows a video he posted on his Facebook page two days before the general election, in which he addressed President Hichilema directly and made remarks that led to his arrest and charge.
In the video, Kalumba accused the President of failing to respect Zambians who expressed divergent views and alleged that abductions, deaths and other incidents were taking place in an effort to win the election.
“Mr Hakainde Hichilema, I’m Katele Kalumba and I’m speaking directly to you. I’m thankful for everything you did for me and I hope you are thankful for everything I did to you,” he said.
“I thought you were a good man but I now see you as a man who is pretentious and evil.”
Kalumba further warned that the election should be decided through the ballot and cautioned against any attempt to rig the polls.
“If you say that you have won, even babies will rise against you. You will never rule this country,” he said.
Kalemba, October 3, 2026
Ba KAKA! You can not be this stupid!! How the hell did you stoop to this level? What you must know is that even the majority that had lobbied for your pardon can believe you or make the same mistake of canvassing for release. You’re now all alone and will suffer the consequences alone. Your behaviour is no different from that of Why Me!
It was like prison was just screaming for him to come and Katele Kalumba heed the evil call.Now,he is limping toward it
That video evidence is admissible.
That is what happens when people refuse to grow up. He still thinks he is in his early twenties. He is a total disgrace, shame and embarrassment to the society that hosts him. His contemporaries are living quietly and respected. This time around he should account for his behaviour and do the time in the right place where he belongs – correctional facility.