DEC refutes Nakacinda’s allegations of receiving instructions from Hichilema to raid Lungu’s residence
LIKE Pontius Pilate in the Bible, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has washed off its ‘hands’ taking huge strides backwards from PF faction leader, Raphael Nakacinda’s allegations of them receiving instructions from President Hakainde Hichilema to raid former president Edgar Lungu’s residence.
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DEC public relations officer Allan Tamba told the Lusaka Magistrate Court that President Hakainde Hichilema did not direct the commission to raid and search Lungu’s house.
Tamba, 42, said the information that was availed by PF faction Secretary General was inaccurate and incorrect and could cause public panic.
He was testifying in a matter where Nakacinda pleaded not guilty to seditious Practice Contrary to Section 57 as read with 60(1)(e) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that Nakacinda on September 26, 2024 in Lusaka, using KANELE 97.7 FM Facebook page, uttered Seditious Words: “The Republican President of Zambia gave directives to the Drug Enforcement Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission and the Zambia Police Service to raid and search the house of Former Head of State Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, with a view to divert attention on the on-going eligibility case in the Constitutional Court of Zambia,” an utterance which has been perceived to raise discontent or disaffection among the people of Zambia.
Tamba said between September 26 and 28 in 2024, he reported for work and had an occasion to familiarise himself with social media platforms where he saw a video on Kanele TV of Nakacinda which caught his attention.
He said he discovered that Nakacinda was talking about how DEC was directed by the President to search the house of former President Lungu.
“After making inquiries I embarked on the fact finding at my institution to establish the authenticity of Nakacinda’s assertions. Upon realising that no directives or instructions on the Presidency were issued, I made up my mind to issue a press statement dispelling Nakacinda assertions,” he said.
Tamba said he saw it necessary that the public needed to know the correct position, emphasising that DEC did not receive any instructions from the President to conduct a search at the house of Lungu.
He said he was then invited by the Zambia Police Service Headquarters to give a statement about the video he watched.
“I confirmed that the person I had seen on Facebook was the person in the video. The video contained footage of Nakacinda, and the statement was taken down from me by the officer,” he said.
He emphasised that the words uttered by Nakacinda were incorrect, President Hichilema never instructed DEC to conduct a search at Lungu’s residence in Chifwema area.
And when asked in cross examination by defence lawyer, Nkula Botha if it was a crime to keep alert, Tamba said no.
“Did he say they should disobey the law?” Nkula asked. No, he responded.
The court adjourned the matter to February 17, 2025 for continuation of trial.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba January 4, 2025
DEC refutes Nakacinda’s allegations of receiving instructions from Hichilema to raid Lungu’s residence
