In a startling revelation, renowned Zambian civil and human rights activist, Brebner Changala, has made damning allegations against President Hakainde Hichilema, accusing him of deceiving the Zambian people to secure victory in the 2021 election. Changala argues that instead of relying on the character of individuals, Zambians should focus on strengthening institutions through better laws to serve the nation’s interests.
“Mr. Hichilema knelt down and begged for a vote from Zambians, telling them he would be a better leader, but it was all lies looking at what is happening,” expressed Changala, highlighting his disappointment in the President’s actions since assuming office. This revelation comes as a surprise, considering Changala’s prior support for Mr. Hichilema during the election campaign.
Furthermore, Changala describes President Hichilema as a “loose cannon” who displays a propensity to suppress any form of criticism. He draws attention to the blame game played during the previous administration, where opposition leaders, including Hichilema, were often arrested, with President Edgar Lungu taking responsibility. Changala cautions that under President Hichilema’s leadership, the responsibility lies squarely on the President himself if individuals are wrongfully detained or abducted.
Emmanuel Mwamba, former Ambassador to the African Union (AU) and Ethiopia, joined the program and shared his own harrowing experience of arrest and brutalization by plainclothes individuals claiming to be police officers. Mwamba emphasized that his personal ordeal pales in comparison to the extensive catalogue of human rights abuses and arbitrary arrests documented in a recent report by the Department of State in Washington, covering the period from 2022 to the present under President Hichilema’s rule.
Mwamba further expressed frustration that accusations of forgery against him remain unsubstantiated, preventing his case from being brought to court. He vehemently denies the allegations, asserting that they were fabricated to tarnish his reputation as a result of his dissenting views on national issues.
Both Mwamba and Changala highlight the similar treatment experienced by other politically inclined individuals who have been subjected to harassment and arbitrary arrests, despite President Hichilema’s campaign promise to end such practices.
The program, hosted by Pastor Moses Chiluba, is available for viewing on YouTube and Camnet TV channel, providing a platform for the public to gain further insights into the discussion.
Mwamba challenges fellow civil society members to follow Changala’s lead and speak out against injustices, while Changala questions the apparent silence of the Human Rights Commission under President Hichilema, contrasting its vocal stance during President Lungu’s tenure.
Expressing his dismay, Mwamba recounts an incident where Commissioner Laura Miti openly mocked and laughed at him following his brutal arrest, despite the authenticity of his injuries confirmed by a government medical doctor.
Furthermore, Mwamba expresses surprise at the endorsement of “minimum force” against him by both the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of Home Affairs, Jack Mwiimbu. He points out that the Law Association of Zambia has deemed the use of minimum force unconstitutional and illegal in the country.
In response to the brutality he endured, Mwamba, through his legal representatives, Makebi Zulu and Corp, has filed complaints with the Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International, the United Nations Human Rights Agency, and the Zambia Police Complaints Board, seeking both damages and an apology for the physical and public humiliation he endured.
These revelations by prominent figures raise important questions about the state of human rights and the rule of law in Zambia. As the allegations continue to unfold, it is essential to closely monitor the actions taken by the relevant authorities and the response from civil society organizations to ensure transparency, accountability, and justice for all individuals affected.
It’s said that whom the gods want to destroy they first make crazy. It’s exactly the behavior of a regime on its way out . Things will be worse as that dawns on them and as get closer to elections
@ Kaiza Zulu. Tule lolela imfumu ya myona Kaizar Silu a.k.a.Broken Hill Man ukulandapo pe liashi ili. Typical of the primate he will trashing the president and labeling others as ugly faced. The Chimpazee looks in the mirror and sees his handsome face monkey-wise and not human-wise. Let sleeping dogs lie.
IS IT THE GOVERNMENT OR THE PEOPLE DRAGGING THIS COUNTRY BACKWARDS
WORK ETHICS, WHITE COLLAR CRIME, ABSENTEEISM
AN INHERITED USELESS POLICE FORCE ETC ETC
THESE ISSUE CANNOT BE RESOLVED OVER NIGHT
Mwamba has laid his case of police brutality before the justice system. Before that, the Police charged him with assaulting a police officer. Why running to the media? Why not let his truth be established through the justice system? As for Mr Changala well – the less said about him the better.
What is true though is that we should all be vigilant to guard against human right abuses – no matter the party we are inclined to. We should also be on the look out for attention seeking charlatans. Let’s seek out what is factual and allow these facts to be brought out through established judicial channels that are there for this exact purpose.
There is no justice system to talk about Makunku.
The judiciary and police are compromised. You have to use the media if you want to be heard
Makunku I don’t know what you would call it if it were you who was tortured, would you call it attention seeking personality , we all saw it on his body he was bruised those pictures cannot lie , what ever you choose to call these acts of evil still remains as a reminder to every Zambian that this government is hell bent against some group of people.
The accusation of lies is pathetic.
I would like to ask if the following few examples are lies:
– HH would negotiate and get a deal on Zambia’s massive debt
– Provide free education for every child
– Recruit 30,000 teachers
– Recruit 11, 276 health workers
– Increase the CDF (which is having such an impact in the community)
– Decentralise decision making
– Pay pension arrears
– Improve Zambia’s standing in the world
– Closer collaboration with neighbouring countries
Yet the writer of this article is making a libellous claim of lying based on the fabricated accusation by two people.
Tha Zambian people know who the real liars are.
They are not: It is not an accusation, it is the truth. Mealie meal k50, Fuel k5, Fertilizer k250, free education up to university, sale the presidential jet, no borrowing, Dollar k5 by 14:00hrs. What we have now is mealie meal k250, fuel k24, fertilizer k1500. Not mentioning electricity and cooking oil( he talked too much about cooking). Failed mining, agriculture and Industrial sector. High tribal arrests and job appointments. Police brutality and torcher. The most celebrated debt restructuring is a scam. It is being told rewrite this sentence beginning with the the “I”. It still means we still owe.
Ben you don’t know what matters to the general Zambian people, that is why you differed with the catholic priest who told you that a common Zambia who voted for you want nshima on their tables , and not employing teachers or those other semantics you have pointed out .
Ben this government has disappointed those voters who voted for you in large numbers now they are just waiting to you vote out in 2026
……..
The presidency of HH is better than lungus in every way you can think of……..
Can a lungu suppoter tell us where they think this is not the case ??
Spaka, forget about the Commercial millers and their expensive mealie meal.Soon our markets shall be awash with cheaper grain.Zambians should only worry about a shortage of hammermills
This is totally malicious by whoever wrote this article. By and Large HH has delivered on a number of promises he made during the campaign: in addition to the list above done by Ben here is more:
1. No carders
2. Regional balance in appointments
3. No politics in budget disbursement
4. More morning paid for struggling farmer
5. Stabilisation of Exchange rate
I suspect someone is disappointed that he was not appointed. Us Zambians, lets work hard. Let us play our roles as citizens. Lets embrace and support the president in fighting corruption
From 1 to 4 bufi bwekabweka
It is not an accusation, it is the truth. Mealie meal k50, Fuel k5, Fertilizer k250, free education up to university, sale the presidential jet, no borrowing, Dollar k5 by 14:00hrs. What we have now is mealie meal k250, fuel k24, fertilizer k1500. Not mentioning electricity and cooking oil( he talked too much about cooking). Failed mining, agriculture and Industrial sector. High tribal arrests and job appointments. Police brutality and torcher. The most celebrated debt restructuring is a scam. It is being told rewrite this sentence beginning with the the “I”. It still means we still owe.
Changala sometimes behaves like one in hurry to eat without washing his hands first or one in need of financial assistance because he’s deep in trouble without settling issue’s how he deals with that he already owes! Mwamba gropping whichever way for public sympathy! All blind to PF extravagance and brutality and loosened restrictions by current government gives pundits believing they are ones well versed critiquing leadership feel they have to speak when better remain quiet!
# Doug .Points from 1 to 5 zero score.
The Kwacha is behaving like a yoyo…it only picks when someone pours in some forex, this time when the mines paid their dues in forex…is that stability.. it’s already declining.
Farmers being paid more? .. You are a joker… it’s all shambles…we are still producing at a loss.
Appointments are 90percent from West…as for ministers he had no choice.
No politics in budget allocation? Yes on paper… money voted for the road that passes by Mukuba High school in Kitwe was withdrawn simply because the MP is not Upnd… remember those those threats by fatso Matambo against Kitwe mayor.
No cadres… what do you call threats by a mere chairman threatening hospital staff with dismissals and accusing them of being PF?
Mr Changala… let me tell you why I don’t vote
1) Edgar Lungu was a disgrace.
2) I saw that HH was lying all the way… the Radio Icengelo clip tells it all. And so far he hasn’t declared his worth… what does that tell you.
3) Mmembe has a past that’s riddled with scandals including the failure to pay statutory contributions, the running down of the once vibrant Zambian Airways
4) The rest were jokers not worth spending time on
So I said to myself Why should I waste time on such worthless things.
You are right, we need a constitution which will put the president in check.
Ben you don’t know what matters to the general Zambian people, that is why you differed with the catholic priest who told you that a common Zambia who voted for you want nshima on their tables , and not employing teachers or those other semantics you have pointed out .
Ben this government has disappointed those voters who voted for you in large numbers now they are just waiting to you vote out in 2026
But you have said you dont vote so even if there were other candidates you were still not going to get yourself to the ballot box.
Tarino Orange… how can you choose from among hopelessness?
Deja Fooool,all those human rights organizations including the International Court of Justice do not deal with individual cases of allegations of abuse.They deal with crimes of mass destruction and dislocation….And Deja Fooool,when I say “mass destruction”, I dont mean Mwamba’s weight,I mean destruction at a massive scale
#Muzamfaeces how did you enjoy sleeping with that white man?
I warned hh and upnd about this. Even my uncle who sacrificed alot for upnd is depressed and disappointed with what is going on. He has not been offered not even a mere government job, yet outsiders are enjoying our sacrifice to help hh win. When older people cry and complain like this, it is best to listen to then, lest you curse yourself with elections losses. I end here
The moment you mention “uncle” you give yourself away Impostor…keep copying and pasting my Gravatar profile image everytime I change it at least you will have some work to do for a change.
This is not news because everyone knows that is what Hakainde did. He lied his way through to Head of state. That is is one of the reasons he has refused to move to state house. This is the “high standards” set by Hakainde of employing Teachers and medical personnel, and a shambolic CDF management. These are just decrees which any head of state or minister can make. Hakainde has increased a Govt wage bill but he is always blaming his predecessor for heavy borrowing when we had to airport, roads, schools and hospitals to talk about.
Henry, media is even more compromised and unreliable. Between media and the justice system – I would rather rely on the justice system. Granted, it isn’t perfect. Parroting alleged abuses of human rights through media has limited use especially when noone is stopping you from going to court to present your facts in an orderly manner. Our media thrive on only bringing one party at a time on their programmes so the counterview is often not heard. This makes it difficult to tell who is telling the truth. In court, both sides are given equal opportunity to make their case and cross-examine.