M’membe quizzes Hamasaka in Court
STATE House has told the Lusaka Magistrates Court that there is nothing seditious about an opposition leader seeking clarity from government on serious allegations flying around in international media.
Clayson Hamasaka, the State House Chief Communications Specialist has testified in the Lusaka Magistrate Court that opposition political parties have a responsibility to provide checks and balances by bringing to the attention of authorities information on perceived wrongs being committed by government.
He told the court in cross examination that it was in order for Socialist Party (SP) president Fred M’membe to bring to the attention of government a claim that Zambian authorities were paid US$20 million to buy their silence. He testified that it was the duty of government to come out clean on any allegations leveled against those in authority.
Mr Hamasaka testified that he could recall that sometime in 2020, President Hakainde Hichilema, then as opposition leader had gone to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to give evidence that the owner of the 48 Houses was a known lawyer from the Copperbelt. The Chief Communication Specialist however told the court that he was not aware that in fact, the matter which President Hichilema reported to the ACC in 2020 had since been prosecuted?
Defense Counsel: When President Hakainde Hichilema went to ACC to report the Copperbelt lawyer, was he performing the function as an opposition leader? Mr Hamasaka answered in the affirmative.
In this matter, Dr M’membe is facing one count of seditious practices when he caused to publish an article on his X and Facebook pages on July 16, 2024 titled: “Tshisekedi tells DRC Catholic Bishops about the US$ 20 million payout to buy Zambia’s silence.”
Dr. M’membe in his article challenged the Zambian authorities to come out clean on the allegation as reported by a Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Journalist Selon Pero Luwara.
“We demand that the Zambian authorities come clean on Mr Tshisekedi’s huge pay out claims” stated Dr M’membe,” Dr M’membe said at the time.
