Mumbi Phiri Charged with Aggravated Robbery: A Puppet Show in Zambia’s Justice System
The arrest of Mumbi Phiri, the former Deputy Secretary-General of the Patriotic Front (PF), on charges of aggravated robbery has reignited heated debates about the independence of Zambia’s judiciary and police. Public reactions to her predicament have ranged from outrage to skepticism, with many expressing views on the apparent erosion of justice in favor of political expediency.
In comments from a previous story on this issue, citizens called out what they described as a “selective justice system.” One respondent labeled the charges against Phiri as “an orchestrated political takedown,” while another lamented that “the police are no longer serving the public but those in power.” Others questioned the double standards, with one reader pointing out: “When will we see arrests for corruption cases involving those in the ruling party?” These sentiments underscore a growing public discontent over what is seen as the judiciary’s failure to apply the law equitably.
Phiri’s arrest followed a confrontation during the Kawambwa by-election, where she clashed with Green Economy Minister Mike Mposha amid allegations of electoral malpractice. She was accused of assaulting the minister and robbing him of money and phones. The aggravated robbery charge, a non-bailable offense, has raised eyebrows, with many viewing it as a calculated move to keep her incarcerated and silence her opposition voice.
The decision to relocate Phiri’s case from Lusaka to Kawambwa, a region considered a stronghold of the ruling UPND, has added fuel to the fire. Critics argue that this move ensures she faces a biased environment, further cementing the view that the police and judiciary have become puppets dancing to political tunes.
This case has become a flashpoint for larger concerns about the impartiality of Zambia’s justice system. The disparity in how cases are handled is glaring: opposition figures like Phiri face swift and harsh legal consequences, while ruling party members accused of wrongdoing appear to enjoy impunity. Such double standards not only erode trust in law enforcement but also diminish public confidence in the judiciary’s role as a neutral arbiter of justice.
As public comments suggest, this is not just about Mumbi Phiri; it is about the survival of Zambia’s democracy. Citizens are asking whether the judiciary and police can disentangle themselves from political strings or whether they will continue to operate as instruments of suppression. The Mumbi Phiri case has become a litmus test for Zambia’s justice system, leaving the nation grappling with the unsettling question: Is justice still blind, or has it been blinded by politics?
MORGAN MAGAWA.
Why should the aggravated robbery charge raise eyebrows?? Can you demonstrate cases of aggravated robbery by officials of the ruling party reported to police which didnot lead to a no bail arrest?? It is the responsibility of Mumbi Phiri to demonstrate that she didnot commit any aggravated robbery offence. The evidence with police is she committed an aggravated robbery offence. So the law has be followed accordingly.
If I report a case of robbery the police have to determine if iam a complainant via the evidence I present. And in this case where I have identified my accused, testimony from the accused. However in this case police just listened to the complainant and declared what he said as gospel truth because he is from the ruling party. Police are certainly ruling party barking dogs.
its PF devil in her that makes her make wrong decisions,she should by now know that the carder mentality died the day HH was sorwn in,in short you break the law your own your own alone in the cells while ba tonse leader bali free balenwa,zambians lets wise up fyali chinga ifintu her case will close in 2026
There were a lot of UPND minions causing havoc and attacking people in Kawambwa: None of them have been arrested. When a brave woman challenged what she saw as electoral fraud, she is jailed. Is this not what is being termed SELECTIVE JUSTICE? When the UPND govt loses power next year all the judges and police officer being used to unfairly treat Zambians must lose their jobs as well as their benefits. Their benefits and pensions should be used to pay the victims of this unfair system currently in place. All the political prisoners like Mumbi Phiri, Jackson Chama, Why Me and others must be compensated.
This party must leave. It is now clear that we replaced tyrants with tyrants
The only offenders, law breakers, are the opposition political leaders. All UPND cadres are free and very much law abiding. When the tea tables turn,is when we would see ZP and the law pouncing on them. As for now Ba Mumbi must dance to the tune of boma ni boma.
The spirit of this article is not right. She has been arrested by the police as a law enforcement agency but we are already blaming courts where she has not even appeared. When will Zambians mature and be objective.
Ba Chisha, dictators control the police and the judges. Didn’t you see how the HH judiciary ruled against the very decision they had ruled for in Lungu’s time?
But why did Mumbi Phiri assault Hon. Mike Mposha? That needs to be determined before we start making this a political matter. She was in prison before but she seems not to have learnt from that ordeal.
Learnt? You are so skewed you already have convicted her in two cases: one for which she was acquitted and another she is only being accused of.
UPND is not “Holier than thou” Just saying
This is similar to the Mwaliteta case; why is the UPND playing the same game? This is not progress at all. Politicians ought to start learning that what goes around comes around.