HH WARNS OVER KAMBWILI

Mr Musoma said rather than pouring scorn on a judicial outcome which was based on facts, Mr Hichilema should start preparing his answers for the privatisation commission of inquiry.

The UPND has cried foul over the jailing of NDC leader, Chishimba Kambwili, who they had hoped to use as a vehicle to win the northern circuit vote in next year's general election.

In his Facebook post, Mr Hichilema warned of turbulences, “Our thoughts are with our brother, Chishimba Kambwili. Remain strong as this is a passing phase. We encourage our citizens to be fully supportive of each other. There will be lots of turbulence phases during this period of reclaiming our freedoms.”

And UPND Secretary-General, Stephen Katuka, said the opposition party was displeased with the conviction of Mr Kambwili.

He said while the party respected the decision of the court in an ideal environment, the circumstances under which the justice system was dispensed left much to be desired. Mr Katuka accused Magistrate David Simusamba of biasness in the manner he adjudicated the matter.

Mr Kambwili was convicted and jailed for forgery and uttering a false document in relation to the registration of Mwamona Engineering and Technical Services.

He said UPND expected that Mr Simusamba wold recuse himself from handling Mr Kambwili's matter knowing well that the now convict had complained to the Judicial Complaints Commission ( JCC).

"While the courts are supposed to be making decisions without interference, it is a well-known fact that Magistrate Simusamba had issues with Dr Kambwili and should not have continued presiding over the Kambwili case," Mr Katuka said.

Mr Katuka also said it was against the rules of natural justice to be subjected to a magistrate who had issues with an accused.

He said the magistrate should have handled the matte fairly having been reported to the JCC by the same litigant who was to continue appearing before him.

"For us, the decision to convict Dr Kambwili was more of a personal and political matter than a legal one. It is political in the sense that Edgar Lungu has taken legal battles, in a subtle manner, to all those who oppose him.

“It is personal because Kambwili reported Simusamba to the Judicial Complaints Commission," he said.