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Zambian actress wins film festival award

Entertainment Editor
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Zambian actress wins film festival award

 

Award-winning performer Josephine Kachiza in her starring role as Damyna in Damyna the Musical.

Best Female Performance Award goes to Josephine Kachiza

Actress, singer and musician Josephine Kachiza has won the Best Female Performance Award at the Festival International du Film PanAfricain in Cannes for her lead role as Damyna in Damyna The Musical.
The first African musical film to be produced in Zambia debuted at the festival in the iconic French film hub on April 8, 2017, having been selected from more than 50 films from over 30 countries as the film to be screened at the week-long event’s gala dinner on Saturday evening during the 14th Edition of the festival, which pays tribute to African-American Independent Cinema.
With the theme “USA: Yesterday – Today & Tomorrow“, the festival gave film-lovers a wide choice of films from Africa, its diaspora and the rest of the world.
“The quality of the films winning the Dikalo Awards reflects the excellent work done by the different professionals who have made up the jury and has helped to make our festival a point of reference within its domain. All the films which have gained awards at the festival have gone to have international recognition,” said the festival organisers.
Ms Kachiza (24) from Chelstone, Lusaka, is a musician with the Zambian Army Orchestra but remained humble at news of the Dikalo award and explained that the film was a team effort.
“I’m a down-to-earth personality. I love and fear God. I love what I do and I am so determined to achieve positive and best results. I treasure relationships built on interests and good morals,” said Ms Kachiza.
“The movie would not have been possible without the dedication of the whole case and crew, led by Dr Langmead, and Musical Director Joseph Muyunda. I would also like to especially thank co-star Mubita Ling’ope, who played Por Phiri.
Damyna The Musical director and screenwriter Peter Langmead was delighted with Ms Kachiza’s award. “Josephine is a very talented actress, singer and performer. She lights up the screen when in front of a camera and has a natural talent combined with a professional approach to her work that makes it a privilege to work with her,” he said.
The romantic drama, Damyna the Musical, weaves a story of family secrets and a witch doctor’s spells that conspire to confuse the life of an orphaned girl whose quest for love brings her traditional African village into conflict with the sophisticated world of international development agencies.
The film was shot on location in Zambia with local cast and crew directed by long-term local resident Peter Langmead and supported by renowned BBC lighting cameraman Denis Borrow (Superman, The Queen at 80, Richard Attenborough: A Life in Film, Piers Morgan On…, William & Kate: A Royal Engagement) as Director of Photography, with Music Director Joseph Muyunda and Editor Kalenga Mwansa.
“Damyna the Musical captures the essence of African society, both rural and urban, and we believe that this film will also capture the hearts of the African diaspora worldwide,” said Dr Langmead. “It resonates with Africans abroad at many levels and also connects Africans across borders within the continent, as well as breaking down barriers to present a real view of Africa to the West without the stereotypes and misconceptions that are all too often portrayed in the media.”
The lead role of Damyna is played by Josephine Kachiza with Mubita Ling’ope as Por Phiri and Tom Chiponge as the witch doctor.
“Producing a musical that reflects the contrasts of African rural and urban life was a challenge that the whole cast took to their hearts,” said Dr Langmead. “The production harnessed that energy to create a vibrant, light-hearted movie with a powerful subtext that explores the changes facing African societies as they grapple with the dualities of global influence.”
The story is based on the operatic stage work written by Dr Langmead and premiered at the Lusaka Playhouse in 2014.
Damyna the Musical combines the tale of a rural romance with the subtext of his observation and exploration of African culture, bringing together 40 years of experience of working with rural communities across the continent, viewed with the perspective of an outsider who is equally at home in the worlds of international finance and fine art as in the countryside. In doing so, he communicates the vibrancy of life, chronicles the aspirations of ordinary people and portrays a long overdue positive image of African life.
Where women have no choice or voice, Damyna the Musical reflects on philandering men who neglect and deny their children, resulting in unschooled orphans and second class citizens, often without identity. Secondary themes are belief in witch doctors, mixed race relationships, human ‘ownership’, adoption issues and responsibilities, and ill-advised donor activity. The film explores the inherent dualities of wealth and poverty, rural and urban spaces, multiculturalism and the educated and uneducated, along with concepts of racism, feminism, inequality, sexism and colonialism.
Having completed ‘Damyna the Musical’, Peter Langmead is working on the script of his second film Borderline (working title), which is also expected to be a musical, produced in Zambia, for release in early 2018.

Salma Sky unveils her highly anticipated video “Zambezi” that features Ghana’s dancehall queen Kaakie

Entertainment Editor
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Salma Sky unveils her highly anticipated video “Zambezi” that features Ghana’s dancehall queen Kaakie

Salma Sky released her highly anticipated new video “Zambezi”. The song features Ghanaian dancehall queen Kaakie and another Ghanaian artist Adi Virgo. 

The video is directed by award winning director Tivo Shikapwashya.

 

BY KAPA187

All I know is, they beat the hell out of me-Garry Nkombo

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All I know is, they beat the hell out of me-Garry Nkombo

There is no Election Petition before the courts-Given Lubinda

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There is no Election Petition before the courts-Given Lubinda

Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda speaking during the official opening of the first joint Pan-African Grain Legume and World Cowpea Conference currently being held at AVANI Victoria Falls Hotel. Picture by Jeffrey Oliver
Given Lubinda
Government has advised opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema to desist from misleading Zambians that the matter regarding the Presidential petition is still before the courts of law.

Justice Minister Given Lubinda said in an interview today that the Presidential petition on the re-election of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu was concluded by the courts on 5th September last year.

He said President Edgar Chagwa Lungu was sworn-in as 6th President of the Republic of Zambia after the constitutional court threw out the petition.

The Minister said Government was disappointed with the manner the UPND leader was continually misleading citizens that the petition was still before the courts of law and that there was no President in Zambia.

“There is no election petition that is being heard in the courts of law. The matter that HH and his vice president Geoffrey Mwamba are following up in the High Court is whether or not they were given their right to be heard by the Constitutional Court,” said the Minister.

The Justice Minister said Government was also saddened with Mr. Hichilema’s persistent claims that there was a matter concerning Zambia before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Mr. Lubinda explained that Government wrote to the ICC to inquire whether there was any case against Zambia or any Zambian citizen before it to which the court responded that there was none.

“There is no matter against Zambia or any Zambian citizen before the International Criminal Court (ICC) and I challenge Mr. Hakainde Hichilema to make public the indictment if he has any,” Mr. Lubinda said.

Last year Mr Hichilema threatened to report the Zambian Government to the ICC over his claims that elections were not free and fair.

And the Minister has dismissed claims by Mr. Hichilema that the people of Western Province did not want to be addressed by President Edgar Lungu during the Kuomboka Traditional ceremony held at Limulunga over the weekend.

He said President Lungu upon arrival in Mongu made it clear to all who received him that he was not in Mongu to issue any statements but to celebrate the Kuomboka with the Litunga and the people of Western Province.

Mr. Lubinda added that the programme which was drawn by the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) can attest to the fact that the President was not to speak at the event.

Mineral royalty tax will boost Zambia’s revenue – Yaluma

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Mineral royalty tax will boost Zambia’s revenue – Yaluma

Mines Minister Mr. Christopher Yaluma in an interview with SABC's Liabo Setho at the Mining Conference in Cape Town on 8th February, 2016
Mines Minister Mr. Christopher Yaluma
MINES Minister Christopher Yaluma says the Mineral Royalty Tax introduced last year will help the Government achieve its mining revenue targets in 2017.

And Mr Yaluma says Zambia will regain its top position as Africa’s biggest copper producer as most of the challenges that unsettled the mining sector had since been resolved.

The mining sector has been rocked by frequent changes in the mining fiscal regime, which has disturbed operations and profitability.

The Mines and Minerals Development Bill, 2015, which contained the provisions for the revised 2015 mining fiscal regime, passed through Parliament in July, 2015, following changes Cabinet approved in April of that year.

The changes of that regime saw Mineral Royalty Tax (MRT) for open cast mines pegged at nine percent, brought down from the previous 20 percent, and six percent for underground mining operations.

The mine tax system also re-introduced a 30 percent corporate income tax on income earned from mining operations, while corporate income tax on income earned from mineral processing at 35 percent, which took effect from July 1, 2015, mid-way through that fiscal year.

Mr Yaluma explained that following extensive consultations from the time the latest fiscal regime was introduced and implemented last year, the Government anticipates to hit its mining tax revenue targets this year.

He said during a tour of Kansanshi Mining Plc’s open-pit mine in Solwezi recently, that Zambia would regain its top position as Africa’s biggest copper producer.

Last year’s total copper production of 770,588 tonnes from 710,860 tonnes in 2015 means Zambia remains behind the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who are Africa’s undisputed top copper producer having mined 986,582 tonnes of the red metal in 2016, according to Reuters.

Despite having recorded a five percentage drop year-on-year, the DRC maintains a healthy lead over its southern counterpart, with its output for 2017 certain to continue climbing in view of rebounding copper prices on the international market.

“Yes, Zambia, I am very sure will regain its number one position from Congo. We knew exactly what hit us to backslide in second position; one of it was electricity constraint; the second one, we had some problems with our own [mining] fiscal regime. Those things impacted on the performance of the mines and we have realised that we should have done much better than we did,” said Mr Yaluma.

“With all this now normalised, dialoguing with the Chamber of Mines regularly; whatever we feel like a change in policy, we must sit down and talk about it and discuss so that we don’t do something which will upset the industry. We are also not saying, ‘we should give away’, we should talk and both ensure that we all win, at least we get what we want, so it is give and take.”

Obasanjo begs Zambian Govt. to follow rule of law in dealing with opposition

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Obasanjo begs Zambian Govt. to follow rule of law in dealing with opposition

HH being transported to Lilayi
HH being transported to Lilayi

Former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has appealed to the government of Zambia to adhere to the rule of law and human rights principles in dealing with the opposition in the Southern African country of Zambia.

The appeal is coming on the heels of the report, which broke early Tuesday that the house of the main opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema, was allegedly broken into by the government police and other para-military agencies with the purpose of arresting him without any warrant.

Obasanjo, in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, said it was in the best interest of the country to maintain the rule of law and human rights principles, which he said are recipe for peace, stability and development not only in the Southern African country, but the entire African continent.

According to Obasanjo: “Early this morning, the news broke that the Zambian government police and other para-military agencies broke into the house of the opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema, to effect his arrest without any warrant.

“Special appeal is being made to the government of Zambia to ensure that the rule of law is followed without breach of human rights in dealing with the opposition leader of the stature of Hakainde Hichilema.

“It is in the best interest of the country in ensuring that the rule of law and human rights principles are followed to ensure peace, stability and security, which are fundamental basis for development, which all Africans require at this point in time,” Obasanjo was quoted as saying.

Now or never for the international community in Zambia

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Now or never for the international community in Zambia
Police fire tear gas at HH's house and block the main road and the gate to his house
Police fire tear gas at HH’s house and block the main road and the gate to his house


By GREG MILLS

The arrest and incarceration of a Zambian opposition leader could be a feint to test the response of the international community. If it’s limp, expect a wider and possibly even more violent crackdown.

Hakainde Hichilema, the leader of the Zambian opposition United Party for National Development (UPND), was arrested by police in his Lusaka home on Tuesday, 11 April.
It was a well organised night attack. Armed police and paramilitaries in plainclothes switched off the power to the house and blocked off access to the main roads before breaking down the entrance gates to the property.

Once inside the police liberally fired tear gas and, according to HH, as he is widely known, “tortured” his staff and ransacked the New Kasama property. In an affidavit of events, this involved stealing “colossal” amounts of cash, along with carpets, food and apparently just about anything else the invaders could get their hands on.

The businessman-turned-politician barricaded himself and his family in a safe-room in the house, sending out a torrent of urgent texts just after midnight highlighting his plight to friends and the media, before surrendering to police mid-morning once his lawyers had been permitted access.

Hichilema has now been charged with treason, and is being held at Lilayi Police Staff College outside the capital for questioning.

Since those accused with treason do not receive bail, he could be in for a long time. Access to the restricted Lilayi compound has so far been denied to his lawyers.

Equally, this event has been a long time coming. Most recently, Hichilema’s motorcade apparently failed to give way to that of President Edgar Lungu in Mongu three days earlier, spiking tensions. But relationships have been fraught since the national election in August 2016. Although Lungu was declared the official winner, the UPND claimed massive fraud before, during and after the voting – from the closing down of the main opposition newspaper to the failure to publish results at ballot stations and, most ominously, the slowing of the counting process, always a sign that the rig is in.

HH and his supporters have since as a result refused to acknowledge Lungu as president.

This may explain some of the venom in the raid. According to the opposition, the heavily armed police officers defecated in the house and peed on Hichilema’s bed, “trashing” the family home. The tear gas, which could reportedly be smelt from a long way away, caused harm to his wife and children, who are known to be asthmatic.
But there are deeper reasons behind the violence. The irregularities in the election were brushed over by an international community for whom the criteria of a free election are not the adherence to those democratic norms and standards they would like to see in their own countries.

This is not just a Zambian problem of course.

The regional environment, and especially the emergence of a patronage regime in the hegemon, South Africa, may also have encouraged Lungu and his Patriotic Front to follow a similar path. This includes ramping up pressure on foreign investors, involving cutting back on expat numbers and enforced local buying from PF cadres.
No doubt the international community would prefer to see Zambia’s political implosion as the result of both sides seeking conflict. That’s a cop-out. The violence is a result of a failure to ensure that decent standards were maintained in the election. Such a “shared responsibility” analysis fundamentally fails to acknowledge, too, the state’s virtual monopoly on the levers of violence.

To charge Hichilema for treason for interfering with a motorcade would seem to be self-defeating. Yet it could also be a feint to test the response of the international community. If it’s limp, expect a wider and possibly even more violent crackdown.

The target on 11 April was not just HH, but democracy in Zambia and by implication, the region. Resisting that requires international action and voice. The alternative is much worse, given the clear link between democracy and development, despite the oxymoronic notion of a “benign African dictator”. If the international community cares about this, and human rights and freedom of speech, it should apply pressure on Lungu to release HH immediately.

If it fails to do so, perhaps it is time for a frank conversation on whether diplomacy in Africa is fit for purpose.

The Author heads the Brenthurst Foundation and is the co-author of the forthcoming Making Africa Work: A Handbook for Economic Success (Tafelberg).

They just wanted to kill my husband-HH’s wife

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They just wanted to kill my husband-HH’s wife
Mutinta Hichilema shows the extent of the damage done to the house
Mutinta Hichilema shows the extent of the damage done to the house

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilem’s wife Mutinta has narrated how hundreds of police officers stormed the family home in New Kasama and started harassing their workers on Monday night.

“Police didn’t know where HH was.. they beat up all the workers and arrested them. Then they started torturing one worker (or son, I cannot remember) who ended up bringing the cops to the banker entrance. “He is there,” the boy said,” Mutinta narrated.

“What happened is that they just wanted to kill my husband – they wanted to kill my husband! But this war which they have started is like they are sitting on a volcano which is going to erupt and it will be so difficult for them to contain it!

We were in one of the rooms from 22:00 hours [and] they started beating all our workers. All of them (workers) are now in police cells. They tortured them, brutalised them and then they were asking ‘where is your boss?’ At first, the workers didn’t want to say but one of them brought them to our room there. They started beating him and the boy was crying. HH then told me ‘my friend, let me go out because these people are going to kill my workers’ but I said ‘you are not going out [because] it’s you they want. Why do they want to pick you up at 22:00 hours?’,” narrated Mutinta after her husband’s arrest.

She said Police started throwing tear gas there to flush them out but that they didn’t come out.

She said she is asthmatic and she fainted twice and that her husband wanted to open the door and hand himself in, but she stopped him.

“I told him, this is night time… and there are no witnesses here. You don’t know what they can do to you. Wait till day time when there are people and your lawyers,” she said.

Meanwhile, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has charged that his detention is unlawful and unconstitutional.

Mr Hichilema has asked the Lusaka High Court to issue a habeas corpus ordering the State to take him to court to explain why he is being detained without a formal charge and arrest.

A writ of habeas corpus is a judicial mandate to a prison official ordering that an inmate be brought to the court so it can be determined whether or not that person is imprisoned lawfully and whether or not he should be released from custody.

But Lusaka High Court judge-in-charge Gertrude Chawatama has set today, April 12 for hearing the parties.

According to an affidavit by one of Hichilema’s lawyers Keith Mweemba in this matter where the Attorney General has been cited, Mr Hichilema has stated that his continued detention was unlawful and unconstitutional.

He stated that he was illegally held without just, reasonable and probable cause.

Mr. Hichilema added that the officer-in-charge of Lilayi Police Training College and others who have control of his body should take him to court immediately after receipt of such writ.

HH Court papers
HH Court papers
Mutinta Hichilema shows the damage done to the family home
Mutinta Hichilema shows the damage done to the family home

CB Volleyball hails first ZAVA female president

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The Copperbelt Volleyball Association (COVA) has hailed the election of Nakaonga Kakoma as president of the Zambia Volleyball Association (ZAVA).

Kakoma made history by becoming the first female ZAVA president at the weekend after thumping her only rival Charles Haambote by 105 to four votes at the elective annual general meeting in Lusaka.

Prior to the election Kakoma was ZAVA treasurer while Haambote served as General Secretary.

“We believe having madam Kakoma as ZAVA president is good for the volleyball fraternity in Zambia,” COVA vice president Noble Mumba said.

“We are so happy that we have made history. For the first time we have a woman as president,” Mumba said.

Kakoma was a player before taking up administration.

“We expect a lot from her. Of course we need to support her so that we can achieve our goals as the volleyball family.”

“We need to revamp the sport and ensure that volleyball is played in all parts of the country,” Mumba said.

UPND Demands the immediate dropping of the treason charge against HH

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UPND Demands the immediate dropping of the treason charge against HH
Police officers push Zambezi West Member of Parliament Charles Kakoma out of the Lusaka Central Police Station
FILE: Police officers push Zambezi West Member of Parliament Charles Kakoma out of the Lusaka Central Police Station

The opposition UPND has demanded that treason charges against its leader Hakainde Hichilema be dropped immediately.

UPND Spokesman Charles Kakoma said in an interview in Lusaka that the party is fearing for Mr Hichilema’s life.

Mr Kakoma said police officers just informed Mr Hichilema’s lawyers that they have received instructions to arrest him on treason charges.

“Our lawyers were merely told by the police officers that they are acting on instructions from higher officers. They came with a charge sheet and said they will be charging him on treason charges, Mr Kakoma said.

And Mr Hichilema’s lawyer Jack Mwiimbu described the treason charge slapped on his client as nonsensical.

“How can they arrest him on treason charges for allegedly obstructing the presidential motorcade when he wasn’t even the one driving? At this stage, Mr Hichilema is still under detention and has not not been taken to court, Mr Mwiimbu said.

Meanwhile, Mr Hichilema appeared calm and unshaken when he appeared for formalities at Lilayi Police, moments before he was taken in.

He kept waiving the UPND symbol at his supporters while some of them broke down.

Donald Trump’s Motorcade

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Donald Trump’s Motorcade

President Lungu sends a messages of condolences to Egyptian President

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President Lungu sends a messages of condolences to Egyptian President

President Edgar Lungu with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi at Bole international airport in Ethiopia after th AU Summit Which Ended on Sunday 31-1-2016PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.
FILE: President Edgar Lungu with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi at Bole international airport in Ethiopia after th AU Summit Which Ended on Sunday 31-1-2016PICTURE BY EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.
President Edgar Lungu has extended deepest condolences to his Egyptian counterpart r Abdul Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt on the death of about 44 people who were killed in bomb blasts at Tanta and Alexandria Coptic churches on 9th April, 2017.

The President in a message of condolences to Mr El-Sisi said he had learnt with a deep sense of sorrow and sadness of the tragic death of about 44 people who were killed in bomb blasts at the two Coptic churches in Egypt.

President Lungu said the Government and the Zambian people mourn with President El-Sisi, the Egyptian government and its people the loss of lives in Sunday’s bomb blasts.

The President wished Mr El-Sisi and the bereaved families God’s strength and fortitude to bear this great loss during the period of mourning.

“On behalf of the Government, the people of Zambia and indeed on my own behalf, allow me to extend my deepest condolences to Your Excellency, the bereaved families and indeed the people of Egypt during this trying time,” the President said.

Southern Province Commissioner of Police warns UPND members planing to riot

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Southern Province Commissioner of Police warns UPND members planing to riot

Police Commissioners, Commissioner A. Daka (l) Commissioner C. Bowa (c)and Commissioner B. Kapeso following the Parade proceedings during the 2015-2016 Pass out Parade in Geoffrey Mukuma Training School or called Sondela in Kafue District
Police Commissioners, Commissioner A. Daka (l) Commissioner C. Bowa (c)and Commissioner B. Kapeso following the Parade proceedings during the 2015-2016 Pass out Parade in Geoffrey Mukuma Training School or called Sondela in Kafue District
Southern Province Commissioner of Police Bonny Kapeso has warned people across the province to stay away from any acts of violence as police will not tolerate any lawlessness.

Speaking when he made an exclusive address to the province on Byta FM’s breakfast show Tuesday morning, Kapeso says police will use reasonable force to deal with anyone who will be found wanting.

Kapeso reveals that there are some reports across the province indicating that suspected United Party for National Development (UPND) members are planning to riot following reports that police officers in Lusaka last night raided their leader Hakainde Hichilema’s home.

The no nonsense Province Commissioner charges that police have intercepted a WhatsApp group message purported to be from UPND Southern Province Youth Chairperson Malambo Mweemba ordering youths from the opposition party to organize themselves for possible protests or riots.

Kapeso also discloses that police have impounded two Toyota Corolla cars registration numbers AJC 594 and ALJ 4098 that were on the road allegedly abandoned by the rioters.

He warns that he does not want to see people being admitted in Hospitals due to the force police will apply to people who will disobey police orders.

This morning, police used teargas to disperse suspected UPND cadres who blocked roads and burnt tyres on the Great North road demanding that police should immediately leave Hichilema’s House.

And the UPND Media Team alleges that heavily armed police officers broke the main gate of the home of Hichilema to gain entry and current reports are suggesting that police officers have since taken Hichilema to Woodlands police.

Meanwhile, business in Choma central town this morning came to a standstill as traders ran away from the teargas discharged by the Police.

There was a traffic jam due to panic by motorists who were trying to find their way out of the Central District Business (CBD).

According to an eye witness whose name has been withheld, Police arrived at Maamba bus station and started harassing a man who was found at a named shop.

The witness explains that the suspect was ordered to open the shop for police who suspected that it had some diesel which would be used for the riot but the man refused arguing that the shop does not belong to him.

Upon hearing this, police started beating up the man a situation that made on-lookers to attempt rescuing the victim.

The police however retaliated by discharging teargas at the people.

The named woman claims Police broke the door to the shop and collected a drum of Diesel and some containers of cooking oil

Human Rights Commission concludes its own independent investigations on the death of a ZAF Officer

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Human Rights Commission concludes its own independent investigations on the death of a ZAF Officer

Murdered ZAF Officer
Murdered ZAF Officer
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) have finalized its own independent investigations on the death of the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Officer, Flight Sergeant Mark Choongwa, who died at Lusaka’s Woodlands Police Station on 18th March 2017 have made recommendations.

In a statement unveiled to the media today, Human Rights Commission (HRC) Chairperson Mudford Mwandenga said the Commission’s investigations revealed various different versions from different interviewed witnesses on how Flight Sergeant Mark Nchimunya Choongwa met his death.

Mr. Mwandenga said the Commission recommends that the Officer-In-Charge at Woodlands Police Station should give notice of Mark’s death to a Coroner to hold an inquest pursuant to the provisions of the Inquests Act Chapter 36 of the Laws of Zambia.

He said the holding of an inquest may help to resolve the critical issue of who should be charged with the murder of the late Flight Sergeant Mark Nchimunya Choongwa as provided by Section 28 (1) of the Inquests Act.

Mr. Mwandenga also noted that the Commission further commended that Administrative Action be taken against the police officers for using excessive force and unlawfully detaining of the late Flight Sergeant Mark Nchimunya Choongwa.

He was hasty to mention that the evidence adduced by all the witnesses clearly showed that the decision to detain the deceased was arbitrary, affirming that investigations revealed that Zambia Police used excessive force when detaining late Flight Sergeant Choongwa.

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) Chairperson has since stressed need for the police command to take action against officers using excessive force and pre-trial detention.

Mr. Mwandenga said Pre-trial detention ought to be used only in deserving cases where a person is a flight risk, explicating that the circumstances of the late ZAF officer’s case there was no evidence to show or suggest that the deceased was a flight risk.

“ We have finalized its own independent investigations on the death of the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Officer, Flight Sergeant Mark Choongwa, who died at Lusaka’s Woodlands Police Station on 18th March 2017 have made recommendations” Mwandenga said

HH arrested, charged with treason

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HH arrested, charged with treason

HH leaving Woodlands Police Station this afternoon
HH leaving Woodlands Police Station this afternoon

Zambia’s leading opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has been arrested and charged with treason.

Treason in Zambia carries a death sentence.

Mr Hichilema is in detention at Lilayi Police College in Lusaka.

The latest development on the UPND leader is that has charged to with treason.

According to his lawyers, no interrogation will take place.

The lawyers confirmed that Mr Hichilema will remain at the police college waiting to be taken to court and then the be deposited into prison.

HH (in a hat) being transported to Liliayi
HH (in a hat) being transported to Liliayi
HH being transported to Lilayi
HH being transported to Lilayi
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