The Editor Zambia
THE arrest of former Cabinet minister Dr. Katele Kalumba has once again brought into sharp focus the crossing of seditious statements and threatening the life of the Head of State President Hakainde Hichilema with impunity.
Dr. Kalumba was justifiably apprehended in Chienge on September 23 and formally charged and arrested the following day at Kabwe Central Police Station under Section 22 of the Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025. 
According to police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi, the case arises from electronic content published and disseminated on August 11 in which he threatened to kill President Hakainde Hichilema and made other highly seditious statements that jeopardise the security of the country.
The complaint was understandably lodged on September 10 by Albert Munjulunji.
Dr. Kalumba’s video that has gone viral, issued on August 11, 2026, contains severe allegations against President Hichilema, including accusations concerning the treatment of political opponents and highly personal attacks against the Head of State including threats to kill the President.
Against this background hinged on threats to kill the President and other seditious pronouncements, the police are entitled to investigate complaints because to anyone who knows the law, the electronic communication by Dr. Kalumba violates the law.
Questions have also been raised by his family about his purported poor health with his wife Lumba of all the people publicly claiming her husband has a number of conditions, including cardiac problems, spinal difficulties and a knee injury, and thus expressing concern about his ability to cope with detention and transportation.
These ‘concerns’ coming from a wife should be taken with a hefty pinch of salt because they are clearly exaggerated for political effect.
Indeed, if someone genuinely suffers from multiple serious medical complications requiring daily medication and regular medical supervision that Lumba talks about, he should be in hospital and not at home issuing threatening statements in an electronic video.
On video, Dr. Kalumba looks very healthy and knows what he is talking about, making his wife’s claim laughable.
Zambia’s democracy will not be strengthened by allowing threats of violence to masquerade as political speech but in allowing the law to take its course without any inhibitions.
