‘Zambia not a one-party state,’ Kalaba queries alleged abuse of human rights under UPND govt

The Citizens First (CF), a political organization, says it has observed with grave concern the escalating abuse of rights of opposition political party leaders.

Party president Harry Kalaba spoke to Zambia Monitor in Lusaka on Monday.

Kalaba is appalled at the insensitive statement issued by the Minister of Home Affairs Jack Mwiimbu justifying the brutality, including physical and mental torture, being perpetrated by police and other security wings against opposition political party leaders and members.

He said a few days ago the Inspector General (IG) of Police had warned that police would use minimum force against opposition leaders who would not cooperate.

“The IG and his political sponsors must know that Zambia is not a one-party state or a police state but a multi-party democracy where the rights of opposition party leaders must be respected and protected as they provide checks and balances to the government of the day,” Kalaba said.

He said if President Hakainde Hichilema was being maltreated the way the opposition is being maltreated under his watch; it was going to be very difficult for him to be where he is today.

Kalaba said President Hichilema must stop using security wings and other state institutions to harass opposition leaders for merely providing legitimate checks and balances for the benefit of the nation.

“But we are assuring Mr. Hichilema and his stooges in the security wings and other equally captured state institutions that we will not be intimidated.

“We will not fear anyone but shall continue speaking out for the people of Zambia and holding the government accountable whenever necessary because that is our constitutional duty as the opposition,” he said.

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