HH Leaves Woodlands police station In Lusaka after Police interview yesterday
Police in Lusaka yesterday recorded a warn and caution statement from United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema.
Mr Hichilema arrived at Lusaka’s Woodlands Police station at 10:23 hours in the company of his lawyers, several UPND members of Parliament (MPs) and party members.
He was immediately ushered to a room where he was questioned for over two hours.
Police spokesperson Charity Chanda said Mr Hakainde was warned and cautioned in relation to three statements he made at a press briefing last week.
Mrs Chanda told journalists at Woodlands Police station yesterday that Mr Hichilema was questioned under the State Security Act Chapter 111 sub-section 43.
“Mr Hichilema has been warned and cautioned for saying that he gets first-hand intelligence news; for saying that President Edgar Lungu has released US$10 million to destabilise the UPND; and that the President has also hired people whom he has sent to investigate the source of funding for the UPND in the January 20 presidential elections,” she said.
Mrs Chanda said Mr Hichilema remained silent throughout the interview and that investigations in the matter will continue.
She said police could not caution Mr Hichilema immediately after he made the statements because police are still carrying out their own investigations.
“Our actions are not based on the directives from the President. In fact we had finished our ground work when that statement was made, so it was just a coincidence,” she said.
Mr Hichilema’s lawyer, Jack Mwiimbu, said: “We have been interviewed, he has denied the charges and further investigations will continue.”
Mr Mwiimbu contends that the offence Mr Hichilema allegedly committed is not treasonable.
“Police must operate and investigate this matter professionally. We hope it will not go as far as it has gone today,” he said.
Meanwhile, business came to a standstill at Woodlands Shopping Mall as the entrance gate was closed due to the presence of UPND cadres.
However, there were no problematic incidents as the scene was heavily guarded by police in riot gear.