PeP leader, Tembo, seeks arrest of Education Minister, Syakalima, for contempt of court

PeP president, Sean Tembo, has called on the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Education Minister, Douglas Syakalima, citing his failure to attend court sessions.

Tembo is suing Syakalima for hate speech, alleging that the minister publicly claimed that people from Luapula suffer from “poverty of the mind.”

Tembo argued this statement violates Section 65 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act of 2021.

In court on Thursday, before Magistrate Mwandu Sakala, Tembo acknowledged he has yet to receive consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to privately prosecute the case.

Despite being summoned, Syakalima was absent, prompting Tembo to argue that his absence constituted contempt of court.

Tembo requested a warrant of arrest to maintain the court’s honor and integrity.

Defense lawyer Clavel Sianondo countered that without DPP’s consent, Tembo lacked the capacity to make such applications, rendering the request null.

Sianondo also cited legitimate reasons for Syakalima’s absence due to prior state commitments.

While the defense agreed that no one was above the law, they argued that Tembo’s application should be dismissed.

The ruling on the application had been adjourned to July 9, 2024.

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