Police on Wednesday recorded a warn and caution statement from a leading opposition leader in Zambia related to his statement last week that he had access to top government secrets. 
Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), was summoned by police following a search conducted at his two residents and the party’s secretariat on Tuesday. The summoning follows orders from President Edgar Lungu who directed the police to investigate the claims by the opposition leader.
Zambia Police Spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda said the opposition leader opted to remain silent during the interrogation but noted that the police will continue with the investigations.
She further dispelled claims that the police were working under directives from the Zambian leader.
The opposition leader was accompanied to the police station by his lawyers and a horde of his supporters who sang solidarity songs.
Jack Mwiimbu, one of his lawyers, told reporters at the police station that the charges related to information perceived to have been received by the opposition leader from state security agencies.
The lawyer however indicated that the offense was not treasonable.
“We are dismayed with the conduct of the police on this matter especially that they are working under instructions from President Lungu,” he said.
Meanwhile, more stakeholders have condemned the unprofessional behavior of the police in their conduct.
Macdonald Chipenzi, the executive director of the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP), said the searching, summoning and subsequent recording of a warn and caution statement from the opposition leader was a clear testimony of the police’s unprofessional and unethical conduct.
“The argument by the Zambia Police that it was investigating the matter even before the presidential order was given is purely a hiding behind a ‘transparent curtain’,” he said in a statement. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
