GOVT ADVISES SOUTH AFRICA OPPOSITION LEADER TO RESCHEDULE HIS

TRIP TO ZAMBIA*

Pretoria- Wednesday 24th May 2017

Government has advised the leader of the South African opposition party, the Democratic
Alliance(DA), Mr. Mmusi Maimane to reschedule his travel arrangements to Zambia until
such a time that the Court would allow him to visit and meet his counterpart,Mr. Hakainde
Hichilema.

Zambias High Commissioner to South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba
disclosed that he had received official communication and request from Mr. Mmusi Maimane
to visit United Party for National Development(UPND) incarcerated leader, Mr. Hakainde
Hichilema.

Mr. Maimane intends to travel to Zambia but has been advised by the High Commission to
do so after the Court clears and grants him authority to see Mr.Hichilema.

We have received official communication from the leader of the opposition party, the
Democratic Alliance(DA), Mr. Mmusi Maimane. He has informed us that he intends to travel
to Zambia. He also informed us that he would use the opportunity to visit Mr. Hakainde
Hichilema who is remanded in Prison he said.

However Mr. Mwamba informed Mr. Maimane that a court order or directive was in place
that restricted persons that should see Mr. Hichilema.

He stated that the Court directed the family to provide such a list to the Zambia Correctional
Service.

We have seen the list provided by the family to the authorities. This Order also affects other
people including members of his party, that would like to see Mr. Hichilema. It is therefore
prudent that an amendment or variation to the Court Order was obtained for the list to include
Mr. Maimane.

Mr. Mwamba thanked Mr. Maimane for the interest he had shown in Zambias Democracy
and the rule of law. He also thanked him for his solidarity efforts to meet his opposition
counterpart from Zambia.

The restrictions on whom should see Mr. Hichilema arose from the Court Order and
Directives. We have therefore, for purposes of Mr Maimane wishing to see Mr. Hichilema,
advised that when authority has been sought or obtained through the Court, Mr. Maimane
could travel to Zambia

Issued by
Mrs. Naomi Nyawali
First Secretary for Press& Public Relations
Zambia High Commission
Pretoria
South Africa