UMODZI KUM'MAWA CONDEMNS STATE'S REPRESSION AND POLITICAL MANOEUVRING IN HON EMMANUEL JAY BANDA'S CASE

The Kum'mawa Development Coalition also known as Umodzi Kum'mawa, vehemently denounces the unjust treatment of Hon Emmanuel Jay Banda following his abduction and subsequent confinement to a Military Hospital as well as Sikanze Clinic against his and his family's will.

We are further saddened by his transfer to Chipata, where he has since been charged on allegations of attempted murder and aggravated robbery - cases previously settled by the Courts of Law in December 2015.

"Honourable Emmanuel JJ Banda, was moved from lusaka through the night, straight from hospital under heavy guard, to face charges that the head of state directed that they should be reopened during a press conference recently".

We are fully aware that the nation is anxiously awaiting to hear and see action of arrests on those mentioned in the abduction of the Petauke Central lawmaker, and we consider this action by the State as a decoy to divert people's attention from it's expected action.  

This inexplicable choice by the authorities raises concerns about apparent efforts to undermine the severity of abduction allegations, leaving us to question the true intentions behind these actions. In addition, law enforcement agencies have exposed themselves to such an extent that political influence is eroding their professionalism.

"The willfuness to prioritise opening cases that were dealt with by the Courts instead of investigating and arresting those involved in abducting him raises many questions and answers. It is a sad state of affairs, especially since those mentioned are close to State House, and the President has not taken any action. "

We further join other concerned citizens and organisations that have expressed grave worry in the inhuman nature in which Hon Emmanuel Banda has been treated since his abduction, confinement to a medical facility, and now arrest on cases decided by the courts in 2015. All this goes to show that this is a very premeditated action in which the State is at the centre of curtailing an individuals personal security. The treatment he has been given is not only a risk to his life but also erodes his human dignity.

We ask our brothers and sisters from various walks of life, especially parliamentarian, to take keen interest in this matter of public interest and raise this human rights abuse case, as an example of Zambia's continued deterioration of democratic principles. The state should be at the forefront of protecting its citizens and not inflicting state sponsored abuses.

Issued for and on behalf of KUM'MAWA DEVELOPMENT COALITION aka UMODZI KUM'MAWA 

Chanoda Ngwira F 

SPOKESPERSON