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Socialist Party (SP) leader, Fred M’membe, has said that power is blinding President Hakainde Hichilema and that this had started to affect his judgment and vision.
M’membe who had become a fierce critic of the Hichilema administration stated that contrary to the president’s insinuations, there was no opposition leader that had put himself or herself above law.
The SP leader in a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday said the opposition parties were complaining about the lack of equality before law under Hichilema’s administration.
He said that the opposition had been attacked by known United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres and complained to the police but that no arrests or prosecutions had ever taken place
“It seems power has gotten to Hichilema’s head and is starting to affect his judgement and vision – it’s blinding him quite fast,” M’membe stated.
He added that it was a well-known fact that throughout history, those who administer or control the criminal justice system, hold the power with the potential for abuse and tyranny and this was exactly what Hichilema was doing.
M’membe stressed that the statutory powers to arrest and prosecute those who commit crimes should be reasonably exercised and in good faith.
“By allowing opposition leaders to be unjustifiably arrested, detained and prosecuted, Mr Hichilema, those in power, are sending a dangerous signal that the criminal justice system can used to persecute and fix opponents of the regime,” he said.
M’membe observed the need to administer justice impartiality and Impartial law enforcement should be guaranteed by institutions charged with that responsibility.
“The only antidote to the culture of venality is the readiness of our criminal justice system to apply the laws fairly and equally,” M’membe stated.
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