Kitwe inmates at Kamfinsa Prison have protested against the unhygienic state of the police cells which they say are smeared with human excreta.
The inmates who were today expected to appear before the magistrate court told ZANIS that they refused to be kept in the police cells as they awaited the court sessions.
In their protest, the inmates said they would not appear before the court if the cells are not cleaned up. They said the cells are in such a bad state that they fear for their health.
The inmates complained that the cells are filthy with human excreta on the walls and floor, citing yesterday’s case in which a named man aged 32 smeared himself with excreta in an attempt to escape.
They further said that most of them had contracted a number of diseases due to poor living conditions in the police and prison cells.
But a police source said the inmates protested to either avoid or delay the court proceedings in fear of being convicted. The source added that it is the habit of inmates to disrupt court cases, in fear of being convicted when found guilty.
Meanwhile relatives of the inmates and onlookers expressed disappointment over the bad state of the police and prison cells in Kitwe.
They said they are worried about their relatives’ health as they await trial. They further said the remandees awaiting trial deserve better living conditions as they are suspects who could be acquitted if found innocent.
They called on the Resident Magistrate to ensure that there is cleanliness in the holding cells.
The inmates volunteered to help Kitwe Fire Brigade clean up the cells which lasted for over 30 minutes.
The court sessions were disrupted and the inmates taken back to Kamfinsa prison.
ZANIS
These inmates are big headed. They should clean their own cells!
Sounds like a good place for Kapoko and he former PS
Woman of substance a wonder you are , my comments for now. # 1 of to supper .
#1 Woman of substance, just imagine ayini? These guys should first clean the filth in their heads by stopping criminal activities that is when they have to complain of what they are experiencing in jail. Shyaaa, ati tyalabati.
#3 Ati tyala bati for sure!
I beginning too think there is too much freedom of speech in Zambia, if only the test of the multitude knew just how much liberty they have at hand. Inmates even getting web time on Lt, imagine poor Zimbabweans where even the opposition leader was beaten awe mwe.
Not until it happens to you, will you realize that human beings are treated less than dogs in most Zambian prisons/police holding cells. There are a lot of innocent people in prison who are there simply because they were @ the wrong place at the wrong time.These people are criminals true, but denying them freedom is punishment enough, we should have compassion that these are human beings who should have basic dignity. Stop applauding human rights abuses. For # 5 who refers to Zimbabwe, two wrong have never made a right.
If any of you bloggers have experienced the Zambian police and prison cells you would not make such inhuman comments about inmates having freedom of speech.Woman of substance just imagine your father in that cell! Remember police and prison cells are built for people,under a false charge you could find yourself there.If you are taken to a Zambia prison or police then you will realise that Zambia is not a Christian nation but purely satanic.Zambia has the second most overcrowded prison in the world “per capita,” more overcrowded than in India or China countries with populations in excess of 1 billion.I experience police and prison cells under false charges so I know what those inmates are talking about.I can never wish any of you in those cells!!
Wait till those criminals come out of prison and are outside your house with AK 47’s and panga’s. You will learn that rehabilitating criminals is about making them better people not worsening and increasing their hatred. The same innocent ones that went in because of stealing batteries will come out of their ruthless criminals with HIV set upon you the same people that don’t want to hear their cries. Regardless of what wrong they have done every human being deserves respect because by not respecting them you are providing an endless stream of ruthless thugs to society
# If you read the story correctly, it says the prisoners want their cells cleaned, by whom?.
First of, its the cell dwellers themselves who desecrate the walls and they should clean them up.
When I lived in Zambia, my house was broken into and my neighborhood was filled with armed thugs who terrorized hard working people.
There is a men’s prison in America that painted its walls pink and gave the inmates pink shirts to ‘soften them’ but when they leave that Prison, they commit crimes. By the way these are men who live 2 to a cell and eat 3 meals a day and have television and phone access.
The conditions in the prisons are pathetic in Zambia but it is hard to have compassion for rapists and murderers
I was in prison and you visited me so says the good book for an mentioned crime .
#9 Wow what a very ‘smart’ person you are. So tell me when these prisoners clean the faeces and other stuff in their cell how are they supposed to dispose of it knowing that the door is locked?
Every person is a potential criminal. faleslly charged or otherwis.The perpose of puting sm1 in jail is to deny them freedom not to xpoz them 2 filthy living.
Awe naibipa pa ZED…even ba pompwe balepanga demo??? Please nyama soya do something.
This is the start of the end of RB. Why wait for 2011?? Ba Sata please twapapata, do something. Those poor people locked up are just demanding for 10 buckets of water, blooms and a packet of boom and they will clean themselves. That government is completely finished, this brutality to happening in Zambia. Strike after strike !!?
Innocent until proven guilty. This is a huma rights issue, yes even prisoners and remandees are entitled to human rights. Wait until it is your turn!
Fyabukaya,
Ba sata ba wrong bena kuti baisafwaya na fourth term.elo nemitontokanishishe tabapusene naba RB.bonse tababa Y2K compartible.tulumbwileniko bambi
“innocent until proven guilty”. Those cells should be kept clean and comfortable for all