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The United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) has condemned the prolonged detention of three youth activists—Jason Mwanza, Chanda Chikwanka, and Thomas Zulu—calling for their immediate release.
The Alliance asserted that the trio were detained for exercising their constitutional rights to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and petition, as guaranteed by Article 39 of the Bill of Rights, Part V of the Republican Constitution.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, Alliance Chairperson Jackson Silavwe expressed disappointment that the activists had been held for over 12 days.
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He emphasized that their arrest was in response to their efforts to hold President Hakainde Hichilema accountable for his campaign promises, including reducing the cost of living, ending load shedding and creating job opportunities for Zambians, particularly the youth.
Silavwe criticized President Hichilema for not adhering to his own directive that suspects facing bondable offenses should be granted bond within 24 hours.
He suggested that the President may be complicit in the misconduct by state police in detaining suspects longer than legally permissible.
The Alliance also noted that this incident coincides with recent remarks by United Nations Special Rapporteurs concerning human rights in Zambia, raising concerns about the country’s democratic integrity.
In light of these issues, the UKA has called for the resignation of Inspector General of Police Graphel Musamba due to alleged gross incompetence and the dismissal of Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu.
The Alliance demands immediate action to address what they see as a serious breach of human rights and democratic principles.
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