ARRESTS SCARE KAMBWILI
…I don’t want to be arrested, have been arrested so many times
Mr. Kambwili said in an interview that he was scared to give his views on the assurance from President Hichilema because he might be arrested for simply exercising his freedom of expression in line with the response from the head of State.
He said he would rather phone President Hichilema directly instead of giving his opinion on the matter because there has just been so many arrests, some of which are unnecessary when people speak about national issues.
“This country has now become very dangerous to comment on matters like that, there is no democracy or free speech. If I say anything on that matter, tomorrow you will hear that Kambwili has been arrested and so I don’t want to be arrested have been arrested so many times,” he said.
Mr. Kambwili said criticism whether positive or negative was good for any sitting government because it gives those in leadership an opportunity to know what the people think about those governing them, however one could either take it or leave it.
He said “people keep quiet and when people keep quiet those who are supposed to be advised if they don’t want the advice will face the people as simple as that,” he said.
On cabinet approval of introduction of the bill to amend the POA, Mr. Kambwili said the move was commendable but if there was going to be a provision that gives the police service power to allow permits for meetings than the amendment would not serve its purpose.
Mr. Kambwili said the bone of contention has been police deciding who should and would not have the meeting and anything devoid of that would be a waste of time.