Kambwili Sentencing Is Persecution By PF, Say NDC

The National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) vice president Joseph Akafumba has described the sentencing of the party’s president Chishimba Kambwili as political persecution by the PF government. 

It follows the news that Mr Kambwili has been sentenced by Lusaka magistrate David Sumusamba to two years imprisonment for giving false information in the registration of his Mwamona Engineering Company in 2018.

Mr Akafumba told journalists that the case against Kambwili was first reported to Amos Chanda - then press assistant to President Lungu - and that Kambwili’s arrest had been orchestrated by the PF.

The VP pointed out that when legal proceedings began, Mr Kambwili reported magistrate Sumusamba to the Chief Justice and asked the ACC to investigate him. 

Akafumba accused magistrate Sumusamba of having scores to settle with Kambwili.

“Even today when reading out the judgment, it was clear that Magistrate Simusamba was settling scores on the perceived conduct of Dr Kambwili especially when accused Kambwili making moves to delaying the court and was going to punish him for it,” he said.

The NDC has since instructed lawyers to appeal the conviction against Kambwili, taking the matter all the way to the supreme court if needs be. 

Vice President Akafumba urged NDC members not to give up hope, saying the matter was a temporary setback entirely caused by the PF.