Lusaka - South Africa will summon Zambian authorities to explain the deportation of opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, Mmusi Maimane.
“We intend calling in the Zambian High Commissioner to come and explain this whole thing to us,” Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations, is quoted saying by South African press.
Zambian immigration prevented Maimane from entering the country on Thursday night to attend the treason trial of opposition leader, leader Hakainde Hichile which starts today.
Hichilema faces treason charges for allegedly refusing to order his convoy to give way to President Edgar Lungu’s convoy.
Zambian authorities accuse Hichilema of endangering Lungu’s life in the process.
Maimane described his deportation as “madness”, adding he was subjected to “apartheid-era treatment”.
The Zambian authorities reportedly said Maimane’s presence was inimical to the rule of law in Zambia and would subject the judicial process to ridicule.
DA national spokesperson Phumzile van Damme commented: “The South Africa government has the right and the duty to issue a démarche, or diplomatic order, and we expect that they will do so.
“It is a deeply shameful day (Thursday) for the Republic of Zambia, when a Leader of the Opposition from South Africa cannot pass freely into the country – especially on Africa Day.”
