… as Women’s Lobby condemns police brutality
By Bennie Mundando
NATIONAL Democratic Congress (NDC) president Chishimba Kambwili’s wife Carol and her daughter Chanda, will spend a night in police cells after efforts to secure police bonds for them failed.
Meanwhile, United Party for National Development (UPND) Lusaka Province vice chairlady for mobilisation, Patricia Situmbeko, who was among those arrested, together with NDC Copperbelt Province youth deputy chairperson Frank Chiona, is still languishing in police cells with no hope of them coming out today.
The quartet was arrested today following Mr. Kambwili’s appearance at the Lusaka Magistrate Court where his bail application was to be heard, before it was adjourned to Thursday, October 22, 2020 but it was in the ensuing confusion that Ms. Kambwili and daughter were arrested.
Ms. Situmbeko and Mr. Chiona were arrested in separate incidents, all connected to the incarceration of Mr. Kambwili.
Speaking to The Scoop this afternoon, Mr. Kambwili’s private secretary, Fabian Mutale confirmed the development.
“They are still in the cells. All effort to have them bonded proved futile.. you know the police. So, they will spend a night in the cells with the hope that they will be released tomorrow,” Mr. Mutale said.
Meanwhile, the Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) has condemned what it terms the brutal conduct of the police officers who apprehended Ms. Kambwili and her daughter at the Lusaka Magistrate Court today.
ZNWL Executive Director Juliet Chibuta says Ms. Kambwili and her daughter were physically harassed and almost undressed as they were forced into a police vehicle for alleged assault and disorderly conduct.
Ms. Chibuta says ZNWL notes that Ms. Kambwili and her daughter may have committed an offence but that the force unleashed by police when apprehending them was excessive and uncalled for.
She says it is sad to see women being de-humanised and undressed at the hands of the police who ideally should guarantee their safety.
“While we note that police have a duty to uphold law and order, this must be done in the most professional manner possible. Police are supposed to protect citizens and not inflict harm.
“We therefore call on the Inspector General of the police Kakoma Kanganja to ensure the police brutality is restrained as such conduct may trigger retaliation from the public and further plunge the nation into discord and lawlessness,” Ms. Chibuta said.
