Courts, Not HH – Kabesha

Attorney-General Mulilo Kabesha has called on citizens and political figures facing criminal charges to refrain from accusing President Hakainde Hichilema of political persecution. Speaking on the separation of powers and the administration of justice, Mr. Kabesha underscored that criminal cases are strictly managed by established investigative wings, state prosecutors, and an independent judiciary, rather than the Head of State. His remarks come amid ongoing public discourse concerning high-profile criminal trials and arrests involving opposition figures and former government officials. Mr. Kabesha noted a growing and concerning trend within the country where individuals caught on the wrong side of the law attempt to politicize their prosecutions by laying blame directly at the door of State House. He stressed that investigative bodies such as the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), along with the National Prosecutions Authority (NPA), operate under statutory mandates rather than executive directives. According to the Attorney-General, transforming routine legal accountability into political narratives undermines public trust in democratic institutions and obfuscates the rule of law. Furthermore, the Attorney-General criticized the tendency of some suspects to resort to social media to disparage public officials while their matters are active before the courts. He reiterated that due process guarantees every citizen the right to a fair trial and legal representation, meaning that innocence or guilt is determined exclusively through courtroom evidence rather than public sentiment or political grandstanding. Mr. Kabesha urged citizens to respect judicial boundaries and allow the legal framework to function without undue external pressure. Legal experts and governance stakeholders have frequently debated the fine line between the executive's declared anti-corruption crusade and the perception of selective justice. While the N