Zambia: Bishops criticise gov. for the arrest of opposition leader
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The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has condemned the recent arrest of opposition political leader Hakainde Hichilema who is in detained and charged with treason, a non-bailable offence in Zambia.The Bishops were speaking following the recent arrest and detention of Mr Hichilema, the leader of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) after he was accused of blocking the motorcade of President Edgar Lungu with his own.In a statement issued by Lusaka’s Archbishop, Telesphore George Mpundu who is President of the ZCCB, the Bishops said while they do not in any way condone illegality, they condemn the massive and unnecessary force with which the police acted in apprehending Mr Hichilema.“Would it not have been much more civilised and professional to deliver a summons to him containing a charge and to order him to appear before the police to answer charges of alleged lawbreaking?” asked the Bishops.The Bishops stated that the brut...
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has condemned the recent arrest of opposition political leader Hakainde Hichilema who is in detained and charged with treason, a non-bailable offence in Zambia.
The Bishops were speaking following the recent arrest and detention of Mr Hichilema, the leader of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) after he was accused of blocking the motorcade of President Edgar Lungu with his own.
In a statement issued by Lusaka’s Archbishop, Telesphore George Mpundu who is President of the ZCCB, the Bishops said while they do not in any way condone illegality, they condemn the massive and unnecessary force with which the police acted in apprehending Mr Hichilema.
“Would it not have been much more civilised and professional to deliver a summons to him containing a charge and to order him to appear before the police to answer charges of alleged lawbreaking?” asked the Bishops.
The Bishops stated that the brutal way in which the police acted has only served to heighten the already considerable tension in the nation particularly between supporters of the UPND and the ruling PF.
“We decry the bad habit which political parties in power assume immediately they make government of using the (Zambia) Police Service to settle political scores and prevent their political rivals from organising, campaigning and therefore selling their vision of the country and nation to the electorate,” read the statement in part.
“It is the same story from one administration to the other, and the present government is no exception...Anyone who criticises the government for wrong doing is sure to have the police unleashed on him or her,” the Bishops said.
The Bishops further criticised the judiciary for “letting the country down by failing to stand up to political manipulation and corruption.”
(CISA Nairobi)
Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va
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