Gender rights body slams govt for unfairly imprisoning ex-Deputy Secretary General of PF, Phirl

The Non-Governmental Gender Organisations Coordinator Council (NGOCC) Board Chairperson, Grace Sinkamba, has urged government to review the justice system as they continue to suppress human liberties.

Addressing Journalists at a media briefing in Lusaka on Thursday, Sinkamba said that the case of opposition Patriotic Front (PF) former Deputy Secretary General, Mumbi Phiri, is worrying as they released her barely 24hours before her judgment day.

She noted that Mrs. Phiri spent 376 days in prison even when it was evident that she had no case, a situation which can be described as abuse of the law.

Sinkamba reminded that as much as the family of that slain United Party for National Development (UPND) member Lawrence Banda who was killed in cold blood in Kaoma, the current government should work on the justice system to help with sensitive case like the case at hand.

She said that Zambia needs a credible constitution that will help situation like the current Mumbi Phiri case.

“We are aware that the family of the slain UPND cadre also seeks closure to the murder of their beloved relative. Never again should we as a country allow such a situation where lives should be lost needlessly because of political contestation,” Sinkamba said.

She has also implored political leaders to be more issue based and avoid any form of political violence that would lead to the loss of life as was the case in Kaoma where Lawrence Banda was killed in cold blood.

Sinkamba has further maintained the call on the new dawn administration to facilitate for a Constitutional review process to address the gaps in our national law.

“It is clearly evident that Zambia needs a credible and transparent constitutional review process that will help to consolidate our country’s democracy in deed and not only word.

“We also call upon the government to provide the country a clear road map on holding of a national referendum for the inclusion of the expanded Bill of rights in the constitution,” she said.

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