Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba says it is unfortunate that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema travelled abroad to tell lies about his own country.

This morning, Opposition HH addressed over 100 Democratic Alliance (DA) members of parliament in South Africa and told the law makers that Zambia needed a more functional National Assembly.

Thereafter, he held a press conference alongside DA leader Mmusi Maimane which was live on SABC where he discussed his time in detention and other governance matters.

But in a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Public Relation at the Zambian High Commission in South Africa Naomi Nyawali, Mwamba said it was not true that Zambia was facing a break down in the rule of law.

He said the claims by HH, who is in that country following an invitation by the Southern African Partnership for Democratic Change (SAPDC), were lies and falsehoods peddled against government.

“The Zambian High Commission is saddened that a Zambian national could travel abroad and speak ill of the country, especially on remarks based on lies and falsehood. I want to urge all Zambian nationals that travel abroad are expected to honour their solemn duty and responsibility to the country. The claims by Hichilema that Zambia is facing a break down in the rule of law, Judiciary and that the outcome of elections remains disputed or contested are lies and based on total fabrications,” Ambassador Mwamba said.

“Mr. Hichilema’s release from Prison together with his co-accussed was a demonstration of Zambia’s entrenched rule of law and a tested democracy. The recent court acquittals of Mr. Hichilema’s Vice President, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba and his senior member, Obvious Mwaliteta are clear demonstrations that the judiciary is extremely independent.”

He also said HH’s claims that there was no media freedom in Zambia were lies because there was a diversified and independent media with over 85 Radio stations and 15 Television stations including 10 Newspaper firms operating freely in Zambia.

“The earlier suspension of two radio stations and a TV station in 2016 could therefore not be used to justify claims as the named stations were suspended and found liable for using and promoting hate speech. Therefore the claims by Mr Hichilema that the Zambian Parliament was raided by Police are also a fabrication because no such incident has ever happened in Zambia. President Edgar Chagwa Lungu won last year’s election with a clear margin of over one hundred thousand votes representing a percentage of 50.35 after winning in seven of the 10 provinces of Zambia, contrary to Mr. Hichilema’s claim that he won by a mere 13,000 votes,” said Ambassador Mwamba.

He said that President Lungu’s election in 2016 was pronounced and determined as credible by reputable local and international observers thereby making Hichilema’s claims unfounded.

He however urged Hichilema to positively use his time in South Africa to help contribute towards Zambia’s development and promote peace and unity.