Msoni goes after DPP over Mundubile
By Mast Reporter
DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri must explain to the nation why Tonse Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, his running mate Makebi Zulu and 16 other treason detainees have not been taken to court, All Peoples Congress (APC) president Nason Msoni demanded.
Meanwhile, Mundubile and Zulu were yesterday transported to Solwezi where they were interviewed by police in connection with alleged sedition following a complaint filed filed by a UPND cadre.
Commenting on the prolonged detention of Mundubile, Makebi and 16 others on the charge of treason, Msoni said the failure by the DPP to take the treason accused before the court “was political persecution”.
He said it was clear now that those accused of treason would not get justice under the UPND regime.
“Why did this government arrest Mundubile, Makebi, [Davis] Chisopa and others for treason if they can’t take them to court? This is the most ruthless, brutal regime this country has ever had. This is not about treason but political persecution. These people we have in government are heartless,” Msoni said.
It was shocking that the UPND government was arresting anyone who did not agree with its conduct of national affairs and slapping them with offences ranging from treason, sedition and immigration.
He cited lawyer Celestine Mukandila whom the UPND was effortlessly pushing for his deportation to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), going against a court order.
“Just look at how the UPND have criminalised living in Zambia. I cannot imagine anymore how this regime has criminalised speech. This government has criminalised anything a human can do,” he said.
Msoni challenged Phiri to take Mundubile, Makebi and others charged with treason to court if he had any evidence of the crime instead of subjecting people to intense physical and emotional torture.
“We hear that the DPP is saying the case is complex. So why arrest people when you have not concluded your investigations? Are you taking pride in keeping innocent souls in prison longer than what the law says? DPP must tell the nation whether those detained are kept in those prisons at President Hakainde Hichilema’s pleasure,” he said.
But Phiri said it was appalling that in the Zambian setup, suspects were expected to be taken to court a day after their arrest, regardless of the complexity of the alleged offences.
He said investigations into complex cases require time.
