from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – THE fallout from an alleged plot by the Zambian government to bribe judges in South Africa to rule in its favour in the deadlock over the remains of ex-president, Edgar Lungu, is worsening.
This after police revealed they would probe one of the opposition politicians at the centre of controversy, Robert Chabinga, for allegedly threatening fellow opposition figure, Emmanuel Mwamba, and former University of Zambia lecturer, Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa.
The said threats were allegedly made at a recent press conference whereby Mwamba and Sishuwa were accused of being the architects behind an audio going viral online alleging Chabinga was at the forefront of a plot by the government to bribe the South African judges.
The audio, which Chabinga alleges is “fake”, also implicates President Hakainde Hichilema, whose government is deadlocked with the Lungu family after the latter’s death in South Africa in June.
Francis Mulenga Fube, legislator of Lungu’s Patriotic Front (PF), which Chabinga and Mwamba belong to, filed a report with the police following Chabinga’s alleged threats to “deal with Mwamba and Sishuwa.
PF is divided between a faction that sided with Lungu and Chabinga’s, which is said to be an appendage of the government.
“In light of this, the Zambia Police Service (ZPS) wishes to inform the public that Hon. Robert Chabinga will be summoned to assist with investigations as part of the ongoing inquiry,” Rae Hamoonga, police spokesperson said.
He urged all involved parties to remain calm and allow the due process of the law to take its course.
“The Zambia Police Service reiterates its commitment to upholding public order and ensuring that political discourse remains peaceful, respectful, and within the confines of the law.”
Zambia has successfully appealed to South African courts to halt the burial of Lungu in their country.
The government wants the deceased to be repatriated back home for burial alongside other former leaders as is per tradition after a sitting or former president’s demise.
Lungu and his successor Hichilema were sworn rivals.
– CAJ News