Hamasaka defends HH

By LUCY PHIRI

STATE House Chief Communication Specialist, Clayson Hamasaka has told the Lusaka Magistrate court that President Hakainde Hichilema did not receive U$20 million from his counterpart of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mr Felix Tshisekedi as alleged by opposition Socialist Party leader, Fred M’membe.
Mr. Hamasaka told Principal Resident Magistrate, Idah Phiri that the statement made by M’membe against President Hichilema was false, meant to ridicule and bring hatred and contempt against the Government.
Mr. Hamasaka emphasized that the President never received any money from Mr. Tshisekedi.
In this matter, M’membe,65, also a lawyer is facing one count of seditious practice contrary to section 57 (1) (c) as read together with section 60 (1) (b) of the penal code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
“On July 6, 2024, like we always do, we were scanning around various media platforms in the country and beyond. As it relates to this matter, I came across media posts on Facebook on the page for Dr Fred M’membe. I analyzed the post and something struck me in there in terms of what I considered alarming content and allegations against the Head of State of Zambia,” Mr Hamasaka said.
He said the article was making serious allegations against regional leaders.
“After reading this post, I felt obliged to consult the head of State, the President of Zambia in this case, Mr Hakainde Hichilema on whether he, as one of the regional leaders in this post as alleged is among those who received US$20 million from Mr Tshisekedi the President of the DRC. The President was very shocked,” he said.
It was at this point when the defence team objected to the last statement stating that Mr. Hamasaka cannot include what the President felt, it was hearsay, and the court expunged it from the record.
Mr. Hamasaka further said he reported the matter to the police based on what he felt.
He said the post was irresponsible and had potential to destabilize the country and the region.
It is alleged that M’membe on July 16, 2024 in Lusaka, published an article on social media namely X (formelyTwitter) and Facebook pages stating that “It is very sad that Mr Felix Tshisekedi, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), can no longer hide how he has extended his corruption and other abuses in the Congo DR to the whole region.”
M’membe also allegedly said “We are worried about these revelations. We are worried that if nothing is done, the bells tolling iling on the people of the Congo DR will tomorrow toil on us in this region, especially us in Zambia whose proximity to the Congo-DR is much more closer and whose leadership seem to have an insatiable appetite for dollars, and are also in a hurry to become big millionaires or if possible, billionaires.”
He also said “If a leader of a country can receive a sum of US$ 20 million of unearned money as a personal gift from a leader of another country whose people are very poor and the country is in turmoil, and engulfed in an intractable civil war, what does that mean?… But today, our leaders are stuffing their bank accounts with millions stolen from the poor Congolese people.” Among other words. Trial continues.