Muhabi questions Mundubile, Makebi detention
By Thandizo Banda
POLITICAL analyst Muhabi Lungu has accused government of undermining the due process of the law by the continued detention of opposition leaders Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu for “a bogus treason charge”.
Featuring on Crown TV’s Hardball programme on Sunday, Lungu warned that Zambia risks sliding into authoritarianism.
He said the Constitution required suspects to be presented in court within a reasonable time, at least 48 hours after arrest.
Lungu named Bishop Trevor Mwamba, lawyer George Chisanga, Lusaka businessman Harry Valden Findlay, Davis Chisopa and Patrick Mwansa as some of the others also detained without trial.
“President Hichilema himself was jailed in 2017 and detained at Mukobeko. Is this the same reason he is detaining Brian and Makebi, who were not even presidents then?” he wondered.
Lungu urged the state to clarify whether a state of emergency had been declared, citing masked prison warders at Mukobeko Maximum Security Correctional Facility and the revocation of passports of critics, including historian Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa and lawyer-activist Celestine Mukandila.
“You cannot withdraw passports just because someone insults you. There are other means to stop insults. Autocrats work on fear and mistrust. The NGOs, church mother bodies, trade unions and political parties must rise and reject fear. If those charged have done anything, bring them to court. If innocent, free them,” he said.
