HRC Warns On Political Violence

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has this week voiced its concern regarding recent political violence.

The Commission’s spokesperson Mwelwa Muleya has stated, “As Human Rights Commission we are extremely worried about the ongoing trend of political violence at any democratic platforms where people are merely supposed to compete with ideas such as elections especially that next year we will have general elections. We don’t know how the situation will be if nothing is done to stop this trend now.”

Political violence has been a feature of the landscape for too long. This week it once again reared its head as suspected PF cadres disrupted a public discussion on the controversial Constitution Amendment Bill, also known as Bill No.10.

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), which convened the event, has stated its intention to report the incident to the Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja.

According to LAZ President Eddie Mwitwa the violence resulted in bloodshed and he witnessed the assailants kicking attendees. He has further stated that the information they have received suggests the thugs arrived in two buses.

“We believe that they were sent by somebody. The police were overwhelmed; we only had two police officers that were assigned to the event,” said Mwitwa.

Those rumoured to have been involved in the disruption include the Lusaka Province PF Youth Chairman Daniel Kalembe and Eastern Province PF Youth Chairman Emmanuel Jay Banda. The event was being broadcast live on Prime TV and Mwitwa has stated that there should be sufficient video footage for proper identification of some of the perpetrators.

JCTR is among those to have spoken out on the trend of increasing violence. The group’s website states, “For years Zambia was held in high esteem, as a role model and an example of peace on the continent, however since 2016, beginning with the xenophobic attacks, Zambian political leaders have decided to auction this reputation on the altar of political expediency.”

Alliance for Community Action Executive Director Laura Miti has also previously claimed that political violence in the country is systemic stating, “It is planned, it is implemented, it is funded. If the President wanted to end violence, he could end it tomorrow.”