Police in Zambia have confirmed that the Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema who was arrested on Tuesday has been charged with treason.
Hichilema is accused of allegedly obstructing the motorcade of Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu.
The Inspector General of Police in Zambia, Kakoma Kanganja told the media that “It has been established that the opposition leader disobeyed police orders to clear the way, thereby putting the life of the head of state in danger.”
He added that “We have today jointly charged and arrested Mr Hichilema and five others with treason.”
Statement by Inspector General Kakoma Kanganja charging president Hakainde Hichilema and five others for treason. pic.twitter.com/FpjNG0huin
— UPND (@UPNDZM) April 12, 2017
The said obstruction incident happened over the weekend when Mr. Hichilema allegedly failed to give way to the President’s motorcade as it passed through Mongu, west of the capital Lusaka.
#Zambia chalo chatu si Dictatorship! Ni Democracy! [Our country is not a Dictatorship but a Democracy!] #ReleaseHH #FreeHH #Zambia pic.twitter.com/M1w4O2e9Fr
— UPND (@UPNDZM) April 12, 2017
Police chief Kanganja denied claims that his outfit is acting under pressure from the government.
“I wish to reiterate that the actions by the opposition leader were unreasonable, reckless and criminal. Therefore members of the public are being warned that as police we are not going to watch such kind of behavior by any person, irrespective of their status,” he said.
Source: Africafeeds.com