When people are held in detention beyond the reach of the courts, contrary to the law and due process, they are being held ‘extra judicially’. Further, when people are detained for their political activities and mobilization, they are ‘political detainees’. Do we have political detainees who are being held extra judicially in Zambia today? Sadly, the answer is yes. I never thought I would ever utter the words, ‘political detainee’ and ‘extra judicial detention’ in one sentence with regards to democratic Zambia, whose democratic credentials have been a beacon of good governance and the rule of law in Africa and beyond.
In the past, when persons were detained for their political activities, the accused persons were subjected to due process in courts of law. We are now witnessing detentions without even the pretension of any court process, whatsoever. This is not who we are, and, it is certainly not what we should be known for. Zambia’s well earned name in observance of human rights and our democratic credentials are in serious jeopardy. I appeal to the Government to release all political detainees who are being held extra judicially or to present them before courts of law for the due process of the law to take its course.
The ‘cardersians’, are thriving and reigning supreme, subjecting opponents, candidates and citizens to violence. Active ‘carderism’ is being practiced, with impunity.
The evidence of this is everywhere. The former Mazabuka law maker, Gary Nkombo, was attacked in full view of the police and in the full glare of cameras. Candidates are being attacked in various constituencies. Musicians are being beaten, some are being hacked with pangas, policemen are being stoned to the extent of bleeding profusely, property is being destroyed and people are being maimed. A person was reportedly beaten to death simply for playing a campaign song and another person was reportedly killed in the northern province. All this in the name of politics! The death of even one Zambian, is one too many!
We must all condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the violence which we have seen in this election campaign period. Unfortunately, most of the video footage in the public domain shows people who are clearly clad in ruling party regalia as the perpetrators of this violence. Some of this violence has been committed in full view of the police who have looked on helplessly and have, at times, been the subject of the same violence.
The political contest must be won on the battlefield of ideas. It must be won in debate and in convincing us, the voters, of the rightness of those ideas. Voters should never be subjected to streets flowing with blood and skulls which have been cracked open with machetes or pangas. Politics of sticks and stones belong to the Stone Age and must be condemned by all the citizens of this country. We must all say no to violence.
@JWSakalajr On violence, the court has departed from Luo's case. We have a new case - Bowman Lusambo case. The court have indicated now,"wide spread violence is enough to nullify the election even if the candidate is not linked directly".
🚨 Leo Messi: “I cried because I felt that 𝐈 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 because of the penalty I missed… and the way I took it”.
“But thankfully once again, God had something special for me in the end. I’m very happy”.
Can’t wait to lead our team out at another World Cup! Excited to get on the pitch tomorrow with the boys! I know we’ll have incredible support out here and at home! We will give everything we’ve got! 🏴🦁
From Zambia, I have been following the Phala Phala Court Proceedings in South Africa. SA is by far the most stable political democracy in SADC.
They took the President to court and he lost. Elsewhere in Africa, a President would never be taken to court in the first place !!!
@Mule_Kaipambe 🤣😂😂 each time l see any story of this man. It reminds me of Chanda Chimba III . The ending was terribly bad,extremely bad. Hopefully, he realizes quickly because his kids are too small
This is the delimitation report that Hichilema is hiding
By Sishuwa Sishuwa
On the link below is the delimitation report that President Hakainde Hichilema does not want Zambians to see.
https://t.co/AlPkzNYBrg
The report was produced in 2019 under then President Edgar Lungu, but Hichilema has since doctored it to create more constituencies in UPND strongholds. What is posted here is the original version of the 2019 report.
Chisha Chromez Mubambe of @HOT877Zambia this was a well researched interview with @LindaKasonde . Excellent 👌👍
Kindly invite Dr O'Brien Kaaba as well
Response to Dr Kaaba's Article was a Jam dropped