Opposition PeP leader Sean Tembo has declared that he is ready to die for speaking out against the social and economic ills afflicting Zambians.
Mr Tembo who was released from police custody on Tuesday after he was arrested for defaming President Edgar Lungu said Police can arrest him anytime that they want for any period that they want.
“They can even kill me if they so desire, I cant help that either,” he declared.
“But even if I was to be arbitrarily arrested again, I will spend my time in jail or police cells with pride, knowing fully well that my only crime has been to stand up and speak on behalf of my downtrodden fellow citizens. Even if I was to be killed tomorrow, I will die with a smile on my face knowing fully well that I dedicated my life to the betterment of humanity in general and my fellow citizens in particular,” Mr Tembo said.
ABOUT MY UNLAWFUL INCARCERATION
By Sean Tembo
Good Morning Fellow Country Men and Women.
I was released from police custody yesterday afternoon around 3pm on police bond. This was the second police bond that the police gave me, after the first one was withdrawn on Monday, for unknown reasons.
The police have charged me with defamation of the president on the basis of the statement that I issued on behalf of the Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) on 20th March 2019, in which we demanded that a Medical Board be constituted in accordance with article 107 (4) of the Republican Constitution, and that the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu be subjected to a mental exam for purposes of determining his mental fitness.
The matter is coming up in court on 15th April 2019. I wish to state that as far as I am concerned, I did not commit any offence and my arrest was based on emotions and not the law.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the citizens of this beautiful nation who rallied behind me and gave me moral support during my 4 days incarceration. To those who believe that my incarceration was justified, I wish to refer you to one of the proverbs from Eastern Province: chaona mzako chapita, mawa chili pa iwe. Loosely translated this means; the challenge which your friend has faced today has passed, tomorrow it will be you facing the same challenge.
I wish to make it very clear that as Party President for the Patriots for Economic Progress, I have always and will always abide by the laws of this nation. Even those that I do not agree with. However, in a country such as ours, fully abiding by the laws of the land is not a guarantee that you shall not be arrested because we have a Government that has a witchcraft mentality towards opposition figures, and are willing to make arbitrary arrests even when they know fully well that their case cannot stand in court.
Their objective is to punish you as much as possible despite their knowledge of your innocence. That punishment comes in the form of the prolonged detention by arresting you over the weekend, and reluctance to take you to court, as well as you having to bear the cost of legal representation in this biting economy, together with lost productivity due to the numerous court appearances.
At the beginning of my political career, I used to think that opposition leaders such as President Hakainde Hichilema and Honourable Chishimba Kambwili, who were often arrested were trouble makers. But the moment that I was first arrested in 2017 together with Laura Miti, Pilato and others, for the lawful fire tender protest at Parliament, and after witnessing the propensity of the various police officers to lie on the stand in court, I realized that HH and CK have merely been victims of state harassment.
Suffice to mention that myself together with my colleagues were found with no case to answer by the court, in the fire tender protest matter, but that was after wasting 2 years going to court and spending more than K200,000 in legal fees.
I must be quick to mention that when I decided to become an opposition politician, I was fully aware of the consequences of my chosen path. I could have easily joined the ruling PF party and become one of the AAAs or triple As or 3As (Abakwata Akasaka Akandalama). But of course my conscience would not allow me to be living in total opulence using poor people’s taxpayers money, and even boasting at rallies that you are triple A, and yet you are failing to pay the salaries of your employees the civil servants, council workers, university lecturers, parastatal employees etc. How could I possibly eat such kind of money and still sleep well at night? I can’t. And that is why I chose to be an opposition politician, with all the trials and tribulations that come with this job.
Make no mistake about it, being a genuine opposition politician in Zambia is a tough job. But someone has to do it and I chose to be that someone. I became an opposition leader not by accident, but by choice. In Eastern Province, we have another proverb: ukaziputa limba. Loosely translated, this means; when you take up a calling, you need to live up to the demands of your chosen calling. If you choose to be a plumber, you need to live up to the foul smell, if you choose to be a mechanic, you need to live up to the dirty oily hands. I chose to be an opposition leader, so I am going to live up to the state harassment and arbitrary arrests.
However, the people should be rest assured that I shall always be law abiding. I am fully aware that the state is very powerful and has unlimited resources.
They can arrest me anytime that they want for any period that they want, I cant help that. They can even kill me if they so desire, I cant help that either. But even if I was to be arbitrarily arrested again, I will spend my time in jail or police cells with pride, knowing fully well that my only crime has been to stand up and speak on behalf of my downtrodden fellow citizens. Even if I was to be killed tomorrow, I will die with a smile on my face knowing fully well that I dedicated my life to the betterment of humanity in general and my fellow citizens in particular.
My appeal to my brothers and sisters in the ruling PF is that all this harassment of one another is absolutely unnecessary. If President Lungu dedicated as much energy and effort towards running the Zambian economy as he does towards harassing political opponents, this country would have been very prosperous.
Let us dedicate our energies to the things that matter to our people. Things such as job creation, education, health, paying salaries for civil servants, council workers, university lecturers, parastatal workers etc. After all is said and done, we are all brothers and sisters wanting to build a better Zambia for our children.
Are you still on hunger strike?Yakunyokola njala mambala!
No one wants to kill you, just don’t break the law and you’ll be fine mudala. What’s this nonsense these politicians are saying when they break and they’re arrested? they start saying the state want to kill me? Please show a good example by doing a right thing obey the law and no one will come after you. This one says they want to kill me, that one say they want to kill me, hh breaks the law he start saying they want to kill me. No ONE Wants kill you just behave yourselves
Defamation law needs to be repealed, it’s too dictatorial. It should be a civil case, NOT criminal.
In Burundi, Lungu’s friend Dictator Nkurunziza has jailed 3 school girls (including a 13 year old) for drawing on the President’s face in their school books.
Shut up and go and see your family. They need you more than Hakainde needs you.
Zambian politicians are selfish and shortsighted this selfsame coward LAZY LUNGU is the same lawyer who used to bail out Fred Meembe when he was arrested at Kabwata Police Station on Friday on these draconian colonial laws today he is doing the same thing to fix his opponents…everything Sean stated is true I mean where on earth have you seen the Fire Service going on strike for non payment of 2 months and you the President are dancing on stage with excitement when someone refers to you as the one with the bag of money….what humorous about that?
Die if you want and believe me you will be forgotten in a brink of an eye. Only your family members will be holding memorials.
You think Zambians care about the dead that much.
By the way POTROZ ECL has not sold that jet. So please hunger strike on and have fun.
I start to respect him, his statement is mature.
It’s really bad why Zambians we dislike each other, including the ZP why do they believe in victimizing?
if you start your Presidential bid on a negative note with insults then that’s all you have to offer. Join Elias Chipimo and Nevers Mumba under the loser tree of bitterness
I don’t give a damn about whether Tembo committed an offence or not but my question is Are police allowed to detain a suspect for any offence for four days without charge? Isn’t that unconstitutional? My second question is why does Zambia have a defamation law designed to specifically shield the President? Why does the President have to be protected differently from the rest of the citizens regarding defamation?
This stup1d archaic law of defamation should be done away with. We know Lungu enjoys using it to silence his critics. And yet he’s the most clueless and mediocre president, and will go down in Zambian history as the worst president Zambia had to endure. No wonder he’s so sensitive about criticism. A self confident president doesn’t seek cheap vengeance against his detractors. Because he knows that the nation knows that he’s doing a great job. But clueless Lungu has to hide behind this law to prevent criticism. Even civil servants live in fear, and will not speak their minds, because clueless Lungu’s henchmen will sought them out. If he’s courageous enough, why doesn’t he hold a press conference so people can ask him questions about his leadership and the issues facing the…
… country? And why did he dodge the debate in 2016? Because he knows he has nothing to offer the nation. What a shame.
Nothing to lose…
We are tired of these useless sympathy seekers in HH’s directionless alliance!!Why cant you just commit suicide for the world to see who will miss you in Zambia?Sean Tembo,try to make a name in a wise way unlike this.No Zambian was concerned or lost a sleep during the 4 days you spent in police cells,so even if you die today,it will be life as usual.Hence stop deceiving yourself.IF DEATH ROBBED US WITH POLITICAL GURUS SUCH AS LEVY MWANAWASA,MICHAEL SATA,DEAN MUNG’OMBA,MAZOKA,FTJ CHILUBA,ETC WHO ARE YOU SEAN TEMBO?Life has continued in Zambia despite losing those real and loved politicians!!!CAN SOMEONE GIVE SEAN TEMBO DOOM PLEASE KKKKKK!!!
The lapdog for HH and the UPND Sean Tembo has not yet died of hunger strike…Yamuyokola njala mambala…
No one wants to kill you, just don’t break the law and you’ll be fine mudala. What’s this nonsense these politicians when they break and they’re arrested, they start saying the state want to kill me? Please show a good example by doing a right thing obey the law and no one will come after you. This one says they want to kill me, that one say they want to kill me, hh breaks the law he start saying they want to kill me. No ONE Wants kill you just behave yourselves
You are useless Sean. Stop being used by double H.
Heey sorry Sean that you spent 5 nights in cells. Ni kulimba baba if you were to be a seasoned politician. Dont think of dying man…who is going to redeem Zambians according to your vision. Just a friendly advice, please avoid insults and always make sure you are 120 MPH over the PFs in discerning what can implicate you. I end here my dear Presido.
Soldier on Sean. You are our voice. CK, HH and yourself, you are our heroes
Ine I will enjoy my bed while you are fighting for HH.
You have no following and those *****s using you,will not be there for you.Be rest assured that,for defaming the President, whether you like it on not,you will be sentenced to prison some day.You are being cheated by those thugs that you can become popular by being arrested.Unfortunately,you have come out with an ailment from the Police cell that will be life long and it will take long to be detected.Change for the better.
Is it worth it killing you? We need you around to entertain us with jokes and laughs in opposition. I feel you can contribute something by being childish and jokey. At least, we are entertained of your jokes,as opposition. No wonder, it will be a tall order to form government. We need credible opposition that distances itself from personality issues. Being personal, will not push you to formation of government. Kick out PF by uttering issue-based ideas not concentration on suits and how fat Lungu is.
Thank you Mbaluso, good advise for Mr. Sean Tembo, hope he will read your message.
All for the cameras and pictures for the opposition alliance
we might not like this man….but what he said about the state of the Zambian economy is real! The situation needs good management and thinking straight! Remember that Zim was on this path before they got to where they are today!
Sean what would you do just as you enter the house your daughter shouts dad CHIMALAYAN CHOSE?
Write a Will in my name first!
Politicians are gods of society, Mr. Tembo you must listen carefully and know how the Laws of the land work please be wise…the laws of the country are built for the masses and not for those in power, you are not in power and suppose you were in power the same you would do unto you friends. In my country Zambia the Presidency is untouchable his a god. Be careful not to issue correct statements to wrong people, you will leave you family.
Please don’t die for me. Jesus already died for me. You children need you why should you be dying for Chishimba Kambwili and HH?
I’m prepared to be killed. Why don’t you hang yourself now so that you become a martyr , instead worsting our space and time
These chaps in the opposition are provoking the State machinery by breaking the law with impunity thinking that Zambians will sympathize with them, zero. Those tactics were only effective and worked when our fore fathers and great mothers fought the colonialists. In this era, only credible and relevant public figures who truly bring development to them are worth listening to and supporting.
I really pity ba Chipimo jnr., what the hell is he doing with HH in the so called Alliance? What has befallen Chipomo mwebantu because had he sold himself to the public well enough, chances are that he could have been the strongest presidential contender to PF in 2026. For now, the man is digging his grave with his own hands and HH and UPND will gladly bury him alive, shame! Ati “they can kill me if…
contd
For now, the man is digging his grave with his own hands and HH and UPND will gladly bury him alive, shame! Ati “they can kill me if they want” oh please iwe lost mumbwe, give us a break.
Nice proverbs though. “Ukaziputa limba”. You provoked the situation, so you have to face the consequences and stop seeking sympathy.
Can someone tell me which political office or position this man has held before becoming a presidential aspirant. You come from nowhere trying to be everywhere! Emulate great men like Mandela, you will not have problems with the law.
Anyone who says ‘kill me if you want” is not normal… This sean guy must have his head checked…
Koma nawe una owa. Nibani bati bakupaye?
Who asks these people that keep claiming they stand for Zambians to represent Zambians? When times comes for Zambians to vote, they chose a leader of their choice and leave with that leader until they decide to change the leader again. Calling ECL insane is calling everyone that voted for him insane. That is why HH will never rule because he thinks all the people that do not vote for him are dull.
A HERO IN THE MAKING
This is very funny, even nonentities and mosquito politicians can start claiming assassination by the State, what nonsense!!! See what happens when you walk in Akainde’s armpits everyday?
Wait till 2021 ,that is WHEN YOU WILL WISH of worthy of dying.
Your HH god will be handled with another bigger defeat.
Noise making is not going to usher your god HH to state house.
At the beginning of my political career, I used to think that opposition leaders such as President Hakainde Hichilema and Honourable Chishimba Kambwili, who were often arrested were trouble makers. But the moment that I was first arrested in 2017 together with Laura Miti, Pilato and others, for the lawful fire tender protest at Parliament, and after witnessing the propensity of the various police officers to lie on the stand in court, I realized that HH and CK have merely been victims of state harassment.
Guys tulebako serious na Life, You protest once at parliament and they arrest you then you think you can rule zambia? We had bena B.Y Mwila, Christon Tembo, Paul Tembo nabena Nkumbula with Powerful CVs tabatekapo zambia ukufika nalelo. Nomba imwe yama apapene mwatampa mulenunka…
Nomba imwe yama apapene mwatampa mulenunka noluche lwakumabele ati nteke zambia?
Soryy not our generation maybe the next generation.
I SAID it the chap is learning bad manners from HH group what have you achieved by finding yourself charged with defamation,
ask edith nawakwi baout that useless alliance you have joined she will teach you that hakainde is a treacherous man who want to use others to gain political milage
ask the young andford banda about the group you have joined, by the way where is GBM
SO FOR YOU SEAN TEMBO NO ONE WILL CARE APART FROM YOUR WIFE MAYBE. IF YOU ARE ARRESTED
YOU WILL PERISH AND THE STATE HAVE A GOOD CASE AND STRAIGHT FOWARD TO CAGE YOU
AS USUAL ZAMBIANS WILL NOT FOLLOW YOU TO JAIL TO SERVE A SENTENCE
FOOLISH POLITICS OF INFANTS
THE STATE has a simple case against you ,be strong to face its consequences people will learn a lesson
you are putting your family under unreasonable trouble by imitating bad behavior in politics
you have emmbarrased us from eastern province for your bad behavior
Fo0l you are free to go
It seems to me that all bloggers on LT are pro PF. They are all blind and cannot see what Sean Tembo is saying. It baffles me that nothing good comes out of anyone except ECL and his minions. Our country is in serious ruins politically, socially, economically and spiritually too. The advent of the internet has all of a sudden made everyone intelligent and can comment so blindly on things political especially in Zambia. Other African countries have moved on…. Tanzania is one such good example.
Very interesting, are CK is a Hero now? What are the qualifications of being a hero in Zambia?
Chaona Mzako Chapita, mawa chiona iwe
Ask trib.al Jay Gay is my response.