Davis Chama says he gained 25kg during year-long imprisonment
Davis Chama says he gained 25kg during year-long imprisonment
Former Defence Minister Davis Chama says he gained 25kg during the one year and 10 days he spent in prison, attributing the weight gain to the peace of mind he experienced despite maintaining a regular exercise routine.
Lusaka, 29 August – Chama made the remarks in Lusaka on Friday when he attended the funeral church service of former Defence Minister and PF politician Mutotwe Kafwaya at Tabernacle of David Assembly.
The former minister is currently out on bail pending the hearing of his appeal after spending one year and 10 days in prison following his conviction for shooting and wounding UPND supporter Mishaukwa Mishaukwa in 2015.
Chama has continued to deny the charge and said he had never pointed a firearm at either a human being or an animal.
“I was in prison for one year, 10 days for a crime I have never committed. It’s alleged that I shot somebody on the 6th of June, 2015. In my life, I have never pointed a gun at any human being or an animal,” he said.
Chama said he applied for bail pending appeal in 2025 and was later granted bail by the Court of Appeal.
He said his time in custody, first at Mongu Correctional Facility and later at Mwembeshi Correctional Facility, was characterised by what he described as an unusual sense of peace.
According to Chama, that peace of mind came despite the circumstances surrounding his imprisonment and allowed him to maintain his exercise routine.
“From the time I was sent to prison in Mongu and later transferred to Mwembeshi Correctional Facility, I was very much at peace from day one until the day of my release, to the extent that even though I was exercising a lot, I was gaining a lot of weight. I actually put on an extra 25kg of weight,” he said.
Chama attributed his state of mind to what he described as having a clear conscience.
“When my conscience is clear, I am very much at peace and I don’t worry about anything,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to his family and friends for standing by him during his incarceration, particularly those who visited him and provided financial and material assistance.
“I want to take this rare opportunity to sincerely thank all my family and friends who visited me whilst in prison, and many of you brought me financial and material support.
“The Almighty God will surely reward and replenish your supplies,” he said.
Chama said he had decided to share his experience with his supporters while acknowledging that people were entitled to form their own opinions about his imprisonment
“For your information, you have the right to comment, positive or negative… Peace!” he said.
Chama was among scores of former Cabinet ministers from the Patriotic Front government who gathered at the church service to pay their respects to Kafwaya.
-Nkanionline 2026 #NewsOnDemand