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More trouble for Zambian President as group asks US to impose sanctions on him

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A Zambian civil society group, Our Civic Duty Association (OCIDA), has petitioned the United States government, demanding for sanctions, including financial sanctions, visa restrictions and travel bans, against President Hakainde Hichilema and seven top government officials over alleged undermining of democratic rights in the country.

Apart from President Hichilema, the group listed Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister, Jack Mwiimbu, Inspector General of Police, Graphel Musamba, Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti, and Chief Justice Mumba Malila.

Others in the black list of the CSO include the Director of Public Prosecutions, Gilbert Phiri and Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson, Mwangala Zaloumis.

The petition which was signed by the Chairperson of OCIDA, Emeritus Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu, said it was deeply worried by the continued abuse of institutions of governance and the erosion of democracy in Zambia.

“Of particular concern are the violations of democratic rights such as the right to public assembly, free speech, freedom of association and the right to a speedy trial,” Mpundu said in the petition.

He stated that the continued abuse of state institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Independent Broadcasting Authority, the Zambia Police Service, the National Assembly of Zambia and the Judiciary was worrisome.

The CSO noted that on several occasions, it and other organisations such as the Zambian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Law Association of Zambia and Chapter One Foundation had called on the Zambian government to respect and enable the expression of these fundamental democratic rights, to no avail.

“Our combined calls have fallen on deaf ears. What we have instead witnessed over the last several months are further restrictions on these rights.

“Public rallies by opposition parties continue to be banned by the Zambia Police Service, the Judiciary continues to engage in what appears to be wilful delay of the resolution of urgent political matters affecting the main opposition party,” Mpundu said.

He further alleged that the “executive arm of government continued to interfere in the operations of other institutions,” adding that the leadership of the National Assembly has continued to undermine democracy in parliament as critics of the government continue to face intimidation and threats from state institutions.

“OCIDA calls on the United States government to impose financial sanctions, visa restrictions and travel bans against the below-named officials of the Government of the Republic of Zambia whose conduct has aided this continued suppression of democracy in Zambia,” the statement reads.

The group expressed confidence that its plea would be heeded in the wake of a recent decision by the US government to impose similar sanctions on members of the government of Zimbabwe who were at the forefront of restricting democratic rights, tolerating corruption and abusing governance institutions.

“It in this light that we petition the administration of President Joe Biden, through the US Embassy in Zambia, to impose sanctions on the named officials of the Zambian government.

“If there is one person who deserves sanctions for undermining democracy and democratic rights in Zambia, it is President Hichilema.

“Not only is he the one responsible for the appointment of other democracy-threatening officials, he has also aided their conduct by neglecting to reprimand or sanction them for undermining civil and political rights.

”Although many people think the current President of Zambia is a darling of the United States, we believe that the interests of the two nations are by far larger than the interest of an individual leader especially when that leader is in the forefront of undermining democracy and abusing institutions of governance.”

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Zimbabwe bans police from using mobile phones while on duty

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The Zimbabwean government has banned members of its police force from using mobile phones while on duty.

The ban, which is with immediate effect, was contained in a memo ordering police officers to abandon their private communication gadgets while on duty.

“All officers are required to surrender their mobile phones to their supervisors once they get to their stations and only use them during their break time,” part of the memo reads.

“Despite numerous instructions given forbidding use of cell phones whilst on duty by members of the police service, commanders are not enforcing this.

“No member is allowed to be in possession of a cell phone whilst on duty. Cell phones should only be used during break and lunch times.

“Officers in charge of police stations have been ordered to enforce the ban, with threats issued against those who do not comply. Once a member is found with a cell phone whilst on duty, the officer in-charge of the said member will be put to task,” the memo adds.

Local media reports that though no reasons were given for the ban, it is widely believed this could be part of efforts to curb police corruption.

“It comes a few days after two traffic enforcement officers were arrested in the capital, Harare, after a viral social media video exposed them taking bribes from public transport vehicles,” a media platform reported.

“The new mobile policy seeks to reinforce what appears to have been a previous order addressed to all stations late last month.”

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Zambia: Police arrests former MP Lusambo while hiding in ceiling

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The Zambian Police has arrested a former Member of Parliament (MP), Bowman Lusambo, in connection with a case of inflicting unlawful injuries.

Lusambo, who was the MP of Kabushi Province, was arrested while hiding inside the ceiling in his home after he had been convicted in absentia by the Luanshya Magistrate Court, prompting the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.

Police spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, who announced Lusambo’s arrest in a statement on Friday, emphasized the importance of enforcing court directives.

“In line with our duty to uphold court directives, the Zambia Police Service commenced an immediate search for Mr. Lusambo to effect the court’s order,” Hamoonga said in the statement.

He said officers located Lusambo at his residence “where he was found hiding in the ceiling.”

“Mr. Lusambo is now in police custody and will be presented to the court as directed by the bench warrant,” the police spokesman noted, while urging citizens to respect the rule of law and cooperate with law enforcement as they work to maintain peace and order in the country.

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