President Hakainde Hichilema has never received money from any regional leaders, whether in cash or electronically, the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has heard.
State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka testified that the President was deeply shocked when allegations surfaced that he had received US$20 million from Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi to silence Zambia.
The claims were made by Socialist Party leader Fred M’membe, for which he faces charges of seditious practices under Zambia’s Penal Code.
Hamasaka recounted his reaction upon reading the allegations on M’membe’s Facebook page.
“On July 6, 2024, while scanning media platforms as part of my duties, I came across a post on Dr. M’membe’s page alleging that regional leaders, including President Hichilema, had received US$20 million from President Tshisekedi. The President was shocked and categorically denied the claim,” he said.
The allegations are linked to an ongoing case in which M’membe is accused of publishing information intended to alarm the public and bring ridicule to the government.
“All in all, I reported based on the falsehoods that were propagated in this statement, in this post which I considered outrageous, meant to ridicule the President, bring hatred and contempt against the government,” he stated.
During cross-examination, Hamasaka acknowledged that he had no direct evidence to support claims of destabilization or public unrest resulting from M’membe’s post. He also admitted that no riots or protests had occurred as a result of the allegations.
Defense lawyer Leon Lemba grilled Hamasaka on whether he believed opposition leaders have a right to free expression.
Hamasaka stated that they do but emphasized that such rights must be based on factual information.
Lemba also questioned why Hamasaka did not report similar inflammatory remarks made by UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda against Catholic Bishop Alick Banda.
He responded that he had not reported the incident, asserting it did not cross his professional threshold for action.
When asked whether the government had verified the allegations with President Tshisekedi or sought clarification from Congolese media, Hamasaka said he was unaware of any such steps being taken.
Hamasaka further said he had not interacted with M’membe to understand his intent behind the post and had no evidence to demonstrate that the statement was meant to incite public contempt or hatred against the government and that his decision to report the matter was based on personal feelings about the seriousness of the allegations.
Hamasaka reaffirmed his belief that the post’s content was “irresponsible” and “potentially damaging to diplomatic relations.”
He reiterated that his report to the police arose from his duty to protect the President’s reputation and maintain public trust in government institutions.
