Magistrate warns Kambwili

A FEW hours after being arrested for defamation of the President, defunct National Democratic Congress (NDC) consultant Chishimba Kambwili was yesterday sternly warned by a court to tone down on his public outbursts and behave himself as he is still on summons.

A FEW hours after being arrested for defamation of the President, defunct National Democratic Congress (NDC) consultant Chishimba Kambwili was yesterday sternly warned by a court to tone down on his public outbursts and behave himself as he is still on summons.

And Kambwili shocked onlookers when he punched his towering bodyguard for interfering with the work of police officers.

Kambwili, who is held at Lusaka Central Police Station, had in the morning gone to court for continued trial in a case in which he is charged with contempt of court.

He was later informed the matter would come up at 12:00 hours the same day. In the company of his lawyers and a handful of supporters, Kambwili then went to the police station in response to a callout he had received the previous day over a video in which he is heard defaming President Edgar Lungu by referring to him as a dog.

The former Roan member of Parliament, who had earlier boasted that he was ready to be interrogated without knowing the outcome, arrived at the police station around 10:30 hours. Police acting spokesperson Danny Mwale later said in an interview that Kambwili had been formally arrested and denied police bond.

“We have arrested him for defamation of the President and he is now in police custody awaiting to appear in court,” Mr Mwale said.

Under police guard, Kambwili was later driven back to the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court Complex where he appeared for mention in a case in which he is charged with contempt.

After the contempt case was adjourned to September 9, 2019 for continued trial, magistrate Nsunge Chanda warned him to tone down because he was still on summons.