You are free but we can call you back, court tells Sean Tembo
FORMER Facebook politician Sean Tembo has walked free from court after the director of Public Prosecution (DPP) discontinued his case in a matter the former PeP leader was charged with insulting language against President Hakainde Hichilema.
In this matter, Tembo was facing two counts of using insulting language contrary to Section 179 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged in the first count that the then foul-talking opposition leader, on August 27, 2023 used insulting language when he said, “Bally apa akangiwa kuipa. But mu 2026 ngati bantu bafuna kuvotela chipuba chinangu, it’s fine, SET can wait for 2031.”
The said words were referred to President Hakainde Hichilema, in a manner likely to provoke him.
In the second count, it is alleged that the former keyboard gangster, on October 17, 2023 said ” Bally is selling a few bags of ZNS mealie meal using Shoprite, hoping to create a perception of low price is equal masturbation.”
Tembo, who contested the August 13 general election as a parliamentary candidate for Lusaka’s Roma Constituency but lost, announced his retirement from active politics through his Facebook page a few days after the polls.
Before the election, he had handed over the leadership of PeP to former lawmaker Chanda Katotobwe, who was elected party president.
However, Katotobwe could not contest the general election after the Registrar of Societies declared PeP a religious organisation.
When the matter came up yesterday, judge Davies Chibwili, sitting in as magistrate admitted the nolle prosequi after the State informed the court that the DPP had decided to discontinue the proceedings.
“I have had a glance of the nolle prosequi. The nolle prosequi has been admitted and you are discharged, you can go home, but this is not an acquittal. The DPP may call you again at any time,” judge Chibwili said.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba