Press Statement | Update on Hon. Chishimba Kambwili and Others!

Hon. Kambwili, his lawyer Mr. Kennedy Mambwe and the driver, Kennedy Mwila, survived a fatal road traffic accident that claimed the lives of Hon. Kambwili’s brothers.

Issued By: Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba, PF MCC, and Information & Publicity Chairperson.

Lusaka, Oct. 17 – This is an update on the fatal road traffic accident that claimed Hon. Chishimba Kambwili’s brothers (Mr. Mwamba Kambwili and Pastor Mutale Kambwili).

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◾Medical Status: Upon arrival at Maina Soko Medical Centre, Hon. Chishimba Kambwili underwent a minor surgical procedure to relieve the pain in the chest and to assist in treating and arresting the bleeding which was caused by the injuries to his ribs. He continues to recuperate in the ward. His lawyer, Mr. Kennedy Mambwe and driver Kennedy Mwila also continue to receive medical treatment and care at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

◾Wreckage Removed from Accident Scene: The vehicle a Toyota Hilux registration number BBA 7542,.has since been removed from the accident scene at Lubushi area about 65 kilometers from Luwingu on the Luwingu-Kasama road and taken to Kasama.

◾Court Case Before the Kasama High Court: Remember that, Hon. Chishimba Kambwili was travelling to Kasama to attend to his appeal case before the Kasama High Court which was scheduled for Wednesday, 16th October 2024.

The Director of public Prosecutions (DPP) had appealed against the 5 month sentence meted on Hon. Kambwili by the Kasama Magistrate Court. The DPP’s appeal claims that the sentence was too lenient and he is seeking to have it increased in the hate speech case. Hon. Kambwili had also appealed against both the conviction and sentence insisting he was unfailry convicted. The appeal was heard last week before a panel of 3 High Court judges and was coming up for Judgment on Wednesday 16th October 2024. In light of the circumstances, the Kasama High Court has since adjourned the matter to a later date to be communicated to the parties.

◾Details of the Accident: The accident was fatal and killed Hon. Kambwili’s brothers (Mr. Mwamba Kambwili and Pastor Mutale Kambwili). The bodies of the deceased are in Luwingu Hospital mortuary awaiting repatriation to Luanshya for burial. Hon. Kambwili, his lawyer Mr. Kennedy Mambwe and driver, Kennedy Mwila survived the crash which was caused by a tyre burst.

◾Evacuation to Lusaka, Maina Soko Medical Centre & UTH: The three have since been evacuated from Munkonge Mini Hospital, to Kasama General Hospital, and finally to Maina Soko Medical Centre and the UTH in Lusaka. Let us continue to pray for the recovery of the survivors and for God’s strength for the bereaved family during this difficult period.

◾Media and Blog Statements: While giving the family privacy and avoiding insensitive statements, it is important to recognise that Hon. Chishimba Kambwili is a long time senior member of the Patriotic Front and currently serves as Member of the Central Committee. The Party will be involved in all activities to provide solidarity and support for the Kambwilis. We are encouraged to wait for official or family statements on the matter to provide as a firm guidance to all and we are encouraged to avoid publishing unverified statements.

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◾Role of Government: We respect and recognise the role government is playing in these sad circumstances especially that Hon. Kambwili is former Cabinet Minister. We have, however, condemned in the strongest terms the attempt to politicise the matter.

During the arrival of the evacuated, the Vice President of the Party, Hon. Given Lubinda, the Secretary General, Hon. Raphael Nakacinda and the Chairperson of Information and Publicity, Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba were stopped and barred from entering the City Airport.

Zambia Airforce officers at the gate regretted that we could not be allowed to enter as they had received firm instructions not to allow us. This incidence was regretable and we hope that this will not repeat itself.

We hope that as our leaders including President Edgar Chagwa Lungu who wish to visit Hon. Kambwili at Maina Soko Medical Centre will be not be subjected to such unjustified, dramatic and political restrictions.

In light of the week commemorating Day of National Prayer and Reconciliation, we expect exemplary and reconciiatory treatment and conduct to help unite this country and restore it to God Almight. We hope that this period and Hon. Kambwili’s circumstances can be an opportune time to foster reconcilation and unity, and use it to better the conduct of mature politics in our country.

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