Home » Zambian Police “Forcefully” Prevent Maimane Entering Zambia on Africa Day

Zambian Police “Forcefully” Prevent Maimane Entering Zambia on Africa Day

DA Leader Mmusi Maimane, a Constitutional Office Bearer of South Africa, has this evening been “forcefully prevented from entering the Republic of Zambia, by Zambian Police who boarded his arriving SAA flight upon touchdown”, according to a statement from the DA. The DA Leader was arriving in Zambia, on Africa Day, to attend and observe […]

By SAPeople
25-05-17 23:15
in Eish!

DA Leader Mmusi Maimane, a Constitutional Office Bearer of South Africa, has this evening been “forcefully prevented from entering the Republic of Zambia, by Zambian Police who boarded his arriving SAA flight upon touchdown”, according to a statement from the DA.

Mmusi-Maimane
Image: www.incwajana.com

The DA Leader was arriving in Zambia, on Africa Day, to attend and observe the treason trial of Zambian Opposition Leader Hakainde Hichilema tomorrow at the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court.

The statement said: “Maimane was en route there to show support to Hichilema who is being unduly persecuted by his government, and to show the DA’s commitment to a human-rights based foreign policy.”

Maimane had strongly denounced the charges against Hichilema, and had condemned the ANC government for not yet taking a stand against his treason charges.

Upon arrival Zambian Police boarded the aircraft, allegedly “aggressively confronted Maimane”, and have taken his private cell phone from his possession.

The DA said: “We have taken this matter up urgently with the Ministry of International Relations, and we expect that they will dispatch South African Diplomats to Kenneth Kaunda airport immediately.

“The South Africa government has the right and the duty to issue a demarche, or diplomatic order, and we expect that they will do so.

“It is a deeply shameful day for the Republic of Zambia, when a Leader of the Opposition from South Africa cannot pass freely into the country – especially on Africa Day. But we will not be deterred.”

The Republic of Zambia is a regional partner of the Republic of South Africa. The DA said their treatment today of “our country’s Leader of the Opposition flies in the face of these relations on Africa Day”.

Maimane returned to South Africa in the last half hour and said: “Democracy is something we all should fight for in our continent. What I experienced today in Zambia violates Democracy. Glad to be back home…”

https://twitter.com/Mbokodo_Sizane/status/867830446641565696