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Copperbelt Minister, Elisha Matambo, has expressed deep frustration over the human rights violations he and his party members endured during their time in opposition, sharing his experiences with UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, who is currently on the Copperbelt to collect submissions on freedom of speech and human rights violations.
Matambo recounted the mistreatment he faced at the hands of police, particularly under the Patriotic Front (PF) government, which he claimed prevented the United Party for National Development (UPND) from conducting campaigns on the Copperbelt.
He described being subjected to teargas and incarceration on what he called trumped-up charges.
“The Patriotic Front (PF) made sure that we didn’t conduct campaigns on the Copperbelt. We were subjected to teargas and incarcerations on false charges,” Matambo stated.
Read more:UN special rapporteur, Khan, to assess freedom of expression, safety of journalists in Zambia
He further highlighted the harsh conditions opposition leader President Hakainde Hichilema endured, including 18 arrests on fabricated charges and four assassination attempts.
Matambo showed a video of a dramatic incident where Hichilema was forced to escape from the roof of a radio station while being pursued by ruling party cadres.
The Minister also shared the alleged traumatic experience of being detained in a penal block at Kamfinsa Correctional Centre, where he was held with dangerous criminals, underscoring the severe human rights violations of the time.
Khan, who is collecting testimony on state-led human rights abuses, acknowledged Matambo’s complaints, reaffirming her mission to gather detailed accounts of freedom of speech and human rights violations in the region.
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