I WANT to tell them that they will arrest me so many times as possible, deny me bail, but they are dealing with a tough man, says Chishimba Kambwili. Addressing the media just after meeting bail conditions, Kambwili said those intimidating him would not manage as he was tough tested.

He vowed never to stop speaking for the Zambians no matter how many times he is incarcerated.

“They will try to intimidate me but they will never manage. I want to tell them that they will arrest me so many times as possible, deny me bail but you are dealing with a man uwakosa mukati na kunse, ine nalishimpulwa mfwayafye ukwakusha umutwe (I am tough inside and out). For the sake of this country, to save this country from these kabwalalas, these crooks, these failed projects, I am ready to die just like Jesus Christ died for the people,” Kambwili said.

He narrated that while in detention, so many street vendors, badly beaten were also detained for merely selling on the streets.

He wondered how they could be arresting vendors in a country where they were protecting foreigners doing jobs that can be done by locals.

“It’s up to you the people of Zambia to know that me I was merely speaking for you, that these jobs are for Zambians and not for any foreigner. Then I should be called that I am being racist. How can you allow in a country where so many youths are roaming the streets and then you are beating street vendors because they have no jobs?” Kambwili wondered. “Here I was in cells, they brought so many street vendors who have been beaten for merely selling t/shirts…and when somebody speaks you say go and arrest him. Shame on you President Edgar Lungu, shame on you [home affairs minister Stephen] Kampyongo but I can tell you that you also know that the positions you are holding are not permanent. Those are temporary jobs and for me, he who laughs last laughs the loudest.”

Kambwili said President Lungu should be ashamed for selectively applying the law.

He said President Lungu should not even talk to people about addressing corruption in the country because his government was shielding known thieves.

“And I don’t think if I were President Lungu, I would even have the guts to be talking about corruption and even addressing the people under the circumstances because all you are doing are things to me that do not fit the office of the President…anyway I am out and back to work,” said Kambwili.