Where’s ‘abductee’ Munthali, police quizzed
By Thandizo Banda
THE Non-governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) is concerned about the alleged abduction of newly elected Citizens First (CF) Mafinga South Constituency Member of Parliament Faith Munthali.
Police sources have confirmed the detention of Munthali in Chinsali on instructions from Force Headquarters.
Last week, Munthali informed the nation that the State was scheming to abduct her to block her from being sworn in.
In a statement, NGOCC board chairperson Beauty Katebe wondered why the State was quiet about the abduction.
“NGOCC call on the Zambia Police [Service] to provide an update on the whereabouts of newly elected Mafinga South Member of Parliament Faith Munthali amid reports of an alleged abduction,” Katebe said.
She said targeting Munthali threatened women’s participation in political affairs.
“NGOCC is deeply concerned by reports of an alleged abduction of recently elected Citizens First Mafinga South MP, Faith Munthali,” Katebe said.
She said the pattern of opposition MPs facing intimidation before and after the 2026 general elections was inconsistent with Zambia’s democratic and constitutional order.
“The rule of law requires that any person suspected of an offence be accorded due process through a lawful call-out, not extrajudicial apprehension,” she said.
“However, the pattern we have observed before and after the 2026 general elections, in which aspiring and elected members of Parliament, especially those from the opposition, face intimidation, harassment and alleged targeting is deeply worrisome and inconsistent with Zambia’s democratic and constitutional order. The rule of law is a cornerstone of our constitutional democracy,” Katebe said.
She demanded that the police update the nation on Munthali’s status and uphold her rights, including guaranteed safety and access to legal representation.
Zambia was governed by laws and the police should always respect citizens’ rights.
“Article 18 of the Constitution requires that any person suspected of an offence be accorded due process, including the opportunity to appear before police through a lawful call-out, rather than being subjected to extrajudicial or military-style apprehension. Such conduct, if allowed to persist, undermines Zambia’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which guarantee liberty, security of person, and freedom from arbitrary detention,” she said.
