Lawyer Chisanga sues AG, IG over detention
By Charles Musonda
NATIONAL Restoration Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) presidential spokesperson George Chisanga has sued the Attorney General and the Inspector General of Police, seeking High Court intervention over his detention at Chelstone Police Station since last Friday without charge.
Chisanga’s brother Emmanuel swore an affidavit in the High Court in support of an ex parte originating summons for leave to issue a writ of habeas corpus ad subjiciendum, stating that Chisanka has been missing since Friday, August 14, and could not be reached by family.
He said that prior to Chisanga’s disappearance, he had been driving a motor vehicle that was later found parked at the residence of NRPUP president Brian Mundubile.
“His family commenced efforts to trace his whereabouts and, in the course, thereof make enquiries at various police stations and health facilities in Lusaka until August 15 at 22:00 hours when we discovered that he was being detained at Chelstone Police Station,” Emmanuel said.
He said before finding Chisanga at Chelstone Police Station, his family was not informed by the police about his arrest and detention and the crime he had committed.
“Prior to the sad discovery, the family was not been informed by the police that he had been arrested or detained, nor had we been informed of the reasons for his detention,” Emmanuel submitted.
Emmanuel said he was not aware that Chisanga had been charged with any criminal offence or brought before any court of competent jurisdiction since he was taken into custody on Friday.
He said he was not aware of the legal basis on which George continues to be detained or the period for which the police intended to continue holding him in custody
“He is presently unable, by reason of his detention, to personally depose to an affidavit in support of the intended application for a writ of habeas corpus… seeking the intervention of this honourable court by way of habeas corpus to require the person or authority responsible for the detention to justify the detention and whether the detention is unlawful. The intended application is required to be brought during the vacation which commenced on August 8 and is due to end on September 6,” said Chisanga.
