Tanzania: Zambian Ex-Minister Arrested for 'Unlawful Escape From Custody'

Zambia's President Edgar Lungu. President Edgar Lungu last month ordered the national prayer session after the kwacha fell 45 percent against the dollar. FILE 

Lusaka — Former Zambian Tourism minister Sylvia Masebo was Wednesday arrested for "unlawful escape from custody."

Ms Masebo's arrest came soon after a Lusaka magistrate's court entered a nolle prosequi in an abuse of office case she faced.

She was accused of having staged an unlawful procession with members of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) after her initial case was put off to another date weeks back.

Ms Masebo was interrogated at Lusaka's Woodlands police station. She got emotional and decided to walk home to take her "medicine".

She was initially charged for abuse of office for flouting procedures when she cancelled game hunting licences and terminated jobs in the Wildlife Department.

Ms Masebo says she cancelled game tenders soon after her Patriotic Front party won power in September 2011 when she received complaints of irregularities in the manner the evaluation of the hunting bids was conducted.

She was the late President Michael Sata's Tourism minister before her dismissal in March last year.

Ms Masebo has been backing the leader of the UPND, Hakainde Hichilema, who narrowly lost the vote to Edgar Lungu, the current president.

She has shifted her support despite remaining a member of parliament under the governing Patriotic Front party ticket.

She is currently battling against a push to expel her from the ruling party.