COMMONWEALTH REBUKES GOVT OVER ARBITRARY ARRESTS
By Thandizo Banda
THE Commonwealth has called on President Hakainde Hichilema’s government to immediately stop arbitrary arrests and release all political prisoners detained after the acrimonious August 13 general elections.
In a strongly worded statement issued from London and seen by The Mast, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey demanded due process and accountability.
“The Commonwealth expresses concern at the post-election situation in Zambia and urges full respect for the rights of all persons and for the rule of law, in conformity with the Commonwealth Charter and values. In this regard, we call for an end to arbitrary arrests, for due process and for the release of all persons detained for political reasons,” she said.
She said the Commonwealth was shocked at the security operation that took place a week go resulting in the brutal killing of the former minister of transport and communications Mutotwe Kafwaya.
“The Commonwealth is dismayed by the Lusaka security operation in which a police officer was injured and former Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya lost his life. The Secretary-General extends condolences to the bereaved families, wishes the injured swift recovery and calls for a transparent investigation into the incident. The Commonwealth calls on all parties to exercise restraint and for constructive dialogue to de-escalate tensions and safeguard peace and stability as well as the democratic dispensation in Zambia,” she said.
The Commonwealth is the latest international body to speak out on the arrests and detentions in Zambia before, during and after the elections.
It joins the United Nations Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International, and six observer missions including SADC, EU, COMESA and the Great Lakes Region in condemning the post-election crackdown.
In a rare rebuke, the London-based organisation expressed dismay over the Lusaka security operation that led to the killing of Kafwaya after he was brutally shot at by Zambia Army Special Forces at the residence of leading opposition leader Brian Mundubile.
“Mutotwe Kafwaya lost his life. The Secretary General extends condolences to the bereaved families and calls for a transparent investigation into the incident,” she said.
The disputed August 13 polls pitted incumbent Hichilema against Mundubile.
Hichilema was controversially declared President-Elect on August 18.
Mundubile rejected the election result, accusing the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of aiding Hichilema to victory.
He also accused Hichilema of unleashing the military on innocent citizens to manage an election.
On the other hand, Hichilema accused Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, of running a militia group with a retired 68-year-old Anglican Bishop Trevor Mwamba, prominent lawyer and former Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president George Chisanga, Kafwaya and a businessman, who dismissed the allegations as a ruse.
Mundubile said the point-blank killing of Kafwaya had stained Zambia’s democratic credentials.
Mundubile is expected to file a petition in the Constitutional Court within seven days of the results being announced.
