Reporting Miles to police political persecution – Pact
By Thandizo Banda
THE criminal complaint made against Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa by United Party for National Development (UPND) surrogates over the Chawama fake polling station is political persecution, says the People’s Pact Movement.
And the police in Lusaka arrested Sampa yesterday after he presented himself at Force Headquarters.
The Republican Progressive Party (RPP) and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) reported Sampa to the police, saying his statement could mislead the public and undermine the commission.
Sampa apologised to ECZ for his remarks, which were deemed false and unfounded.
In an interview with The Mast, People’s Pact vice president for strategy Peter Sinkamba dismissed the police complaint against Sampa, as mere political persecution.
Sinkamba, who is also Green Party (GP) president, wondered what prompted RPP and ECZ to file complaints even after Sampa had publicly apologised.
“We are so worried that the UPND is hell-bent at prosecuting and persecuting opposition members leaving UPND members and supporters who have on many occasions made more grave remarks but are let scot-free. All they want is to fix Sampa, whom they feel made them lose that by-election. They are bitter and angry with Sampa,” he said.
Sinkamba said Sampa was being vigilant in making the claims, which was every citizen’s right, especially during elections.
“We believed Sampa and ECZ had engaged, which culminated in clarity by the ECZ and an apology by Sampa. We are, however, taken aback by the turn of events, which have surprised citizens,” he said.
Sinkamba said while in opposition, the UPND made more alarming statements that were ignored by authorities as mere acts of “vigilance”.
“UPND’s persecution agenda is an open secret to Zambians., and Miles Sampa is the next on target. The UPND wants Sampa fixed, and they will do it without shame. This is the same Sampa they used to destroy the PF, but after he amended his way, they want him fixed. They want him jailed if anything before the general elections,” he said.
Sinkamba said the UPND was determined to use legal mechanisms to suppress dissent and intimidate opposition figures ahead of the 2026 elections.
“You might have noticed that in matters involving opposition members, the Judiciary will rush to prosecute even when parties involved have reached a consent agreement. We have in mind the PF presidency case where the handling judge is dragging their feet to sign the consent order, thereby protracting the case,” he said.
Sinkamba called for the unification of opposition political parties in Zambia to effectively challenge the UPND in August.
“It is our earnest prayer and hope as the opposition that ECZ will prevail on the matter by explaining to the police that Sampa’s statement did not threaten national peace and stability. ECZ must state whether there was someone else who complained about Sampa’s remarks, which have caused the breach of peace,” said Sankamba.
And Sampa was arrested yesterday after he presented himself to the Police at Force Headquarters for the offence of transmitting unsolicited or deceptive communication.
“This is contrary to section 19 of the Cyber Crimes Act no. 4 of 2025,” said an officer close to the investigations.
