Mweetwa Challenges Minister, Police On Whipping Threats

Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo has been quoted as stating that he and his ‘crack squad’ will not refrain from whipping citizens who are found drinking in bars during the lockdown period. 

Zambia Police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo is also reported as having warned those going drinking in bars would be whipped without warning. Speaking in a television interview Katongo stated that officers have been instructed to take harsh measures to ensure compliance with directives that have shuttered all bars and nightclubs.

“Zambian police have whips. So, if you want to dare authorities, if you want to dare the police, then you are welcome,” Katongo stated.

UPND MP and deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa has responded to such warnings by calling on the Police Inspector General Kakoma Kanganja to clarify whether police will in fact be whipping those found breaking the rules laid down by government.

The Choma Central UPND member of parliament and lawyer has described the remarks made by Katongo as concerning.

“As UPND, we are gravely concerned about the statement. We find this outrageous because there is no law that empowers Zambia Police to begin whipping people if they are found breaking the law,” Mweetwa has stated.

“The law is very clear; even a murder suspect cannot be whipped by police. Such a person is just supposed to be apprehended and taken to court. So, if a person is found drinking in a bar against the presidential directive or Statutory Instruments that have been promulgated, we expect police to apprehend those people and take them to relevant authorities.”

“So, madam Esther Katongo, don’t be excited. There is no law that has been passed by the Parliament of Zambia in which police have been empowered to begin whipping people. Torture is not allowed in Zambia [and] extrajudicial measures have not been introduced as a result of this coronavirus outbreak,” Mweetwa continued.
“Police should act within the law. No state of emergency has been declared for police to begin using means that are not prescribed. We expect the Inspector General of Police to respond and condemn this statement which, in my view, has arisen out of excitement.”