LAZ offers legal support to Vespers’ family ‘until justice is met’
LAZ has offered requisite legal support to the family of Vespers Shimuzhila to ensure the ends of justice is met.
The Council of the Law Association of Zambia today also asked Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja to institute prompt and thorough investigations into the death of Vespers following a gassing incident and to make the findings public.
“Any officer who will be found wanting should face the law,” it stated. “LAZ also expects that this incident will not end quietly but that justice will be done in the matter. LAZ intends to reach out to the deceased student’s family to provide the requisite legal support to ensure that ends of justice is met.”
LAZ stated that it was joining various organisations, institutions and individuals who had condemned the conduct of the Zambia Police officers at the University of Zambia, Great East Road Campus which, last Thursday, led to the untimely death of a fourth-year student, Vespers.
It condemned the excessive force used by the police who were reported to have followed unarmed and peaceful students who were in their rooms after the demonstration and threw teargas canisters in the rooms.
“Although LAZ does not support any unlawful action of students, such as blocking of the Great East Road and endangering the lives of motorists and other road users, LAZ condemns in the strongest possible terms, heavy handed and disproportionate police action that violates individual human rights,” LAZ stated. “LAZ sincerely regrets the death of Vespers Shimuzhila and sends its deepest sympathies and condolences to her family and colleagues. LAZ expects that the government will take the necessary action to support Vespers’ family.
It demanded that police officers should follow the law at all times in such situations and act professionally.
“The police have a noble and public duty to maintain law and order in public but they are not expected to act outside the confines of law in any situation,” stated LAZ.
Source: The Mast