Release Malozo, Chief Katyetye urges police
By a Correspondent
CHIEF Katyetye of the Tambo people of Isoka District in Muchinga Province has demanded the immediate release of detained National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) Isoka parliamentary candidate Malozo Sichone.
Sichone was picked up by police officers in Isoka on Saturday, where they detained him briefly before he was transferred to Chinsali District.
He was later picked up around 03 hours on Sunday by police officers from Lusaka and transported to Force Headquarters for sedition, where he has since spent four days in detention without a charge.
However, the continued detention has angered Chief Katyetye, who says the detention of Sichone is now being perceived to be political to frustrate his campaigns ahead of the August 13 parliamentary election.
“The four days Mr Sichone has spent in police custody are enough for police to conclude investigations and determine whether he has a case to answer or not. Why keep someone in police cells longer as if he has committed a non-bailable offence? What is the plan by the police and government? Do they want him out of the campaigns?” Chief Katyete wondered.
He warned that if the matter was not handled professionally, it risked being perceived as a political persecution and a flawed prosecution.
Chief Katyete said the conduct of the police would negatively affect support for both the ruling party and President Hakainde Hichilema in Isoka and the surrounding areas.
He said people were shocked that Sichone was detained for an unknown reason, with his freedom of movement restricted.
“It is only fair for the police to release him now or take him to court. I want to know why they have kept him in the cells for over four days now. As I speak, he is still in detention in Lusaka. Why move him at night like a common criminal? This is not the Zambia we want,” Chief Katyete said.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Zambia Police Service spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi said Sichone was being held in connection with investigations into alleged seditious practices.
On Monday, Chilabi said Sichone would remain in custody until investigations were concluded.
