Harry Kalaba: Condemns Zambia Selective Justice Amid Abduction Fears

• Citizens First party President Harry Kalaba has condemned the selective application of the law and rising political intolerance under the UPND government in Zambia.
• Kalaba highlighted the UPND's use of courts to challenge elected MPs, contrasting it with their previous actions regarding the presidential election outcome.
• Credible information suggests a plan to abduct Mafinga South MP Faith Munthali, while opposition supporters face prolonged detentions without court appearances.
• Faith Munthali confirmed selective justice, citing her own experiences and the detention of three team members in Mafinga.
• These issues align with concerns from UN Special Rapporteurs about Zambia's shrinking democratic space, prompting calls for consistent justice and civil society action.

This apparent contradiction, according to Kalaba, exposes a troubling pattern of prioritizing political expediency over fundamental principles, thereby undermining public confidence in the nation's justice system.

Harry Kalaba, President of the Citizens First (CF) party, has voiced strong condemnation regarding what he describes as the selective application of the law and a growing climate of political intolerance within Zambia. These concerns are directed at the leadership of the United Party for National Development (UPND) and highlight a perceived erosion of judicial impartiality.

Kalaba specifically pointed to the UPND's current strategy of challenging duly elected Parliamentary candidates in court. He contrasted this with the party's previous actions, where it allegedly denied Zambians the opportunity to validate the Presidential electoral outcome by closing the courts. This apparent contradiction, according to Kalaba, exposes a troubling pattern of prioritizing political expediency over fundamental principles, thereby undermining public confidence in the nation's justice system.

The Citizens First party has also expressed alarm over credible intelligence suggesting a plan to abduct the Honorable Faith Munthali, the recently elected Member of Parliament for Mafinga South. This alleged plot, alongside reports of opposition supporters being arrested and held for extended periods—some for up to 14 days without appearing before a court—is cited as further evidence of an abuse of the justice system and a dangerous trend of weaponizing legal processes against political opponents.

The alleged abduction plot targeting Faith Munthali, the Mafinga South MP, represents a significant escalation in the concerns raised by the Citizens First party. The party has formally called upon authorities to launch an immediate investigation into this matter and to guarantee the safety of Munthali, as well as all other elected leaders, irrespective of their political affiliations. This incident underscores broader worries about the security of opposition figures in the current political climate.

Further substantiating these claims, Ms. Munthali herself has publicly disagreed with former Minister of Home Affairs Jack Mwiimbu, who suggested that a report by United Nations Special Rapporteurs on Zambia was inaccurate. Munthali insisted on the report's accuracy, citing her own experiences and the detention of three members of her team in Mafinga, who have yet to appear in court. She affirmed that there has been a clear selective application of justice, particularly targeting those with opposing views, echoing the broader sentiment of Harry Kalaba regarding Zambia political intolerance.

These incidents, including the prolonged detentions of opposition supporters without due legal process, are presented as concrete examples of the challenges to the rule of law. The practice of holding individuals for up to two weeks without a court appearance is seen as a direct violation of fundamental rights and an indicator of systemic issues within the justice administration.

The developments highlighted by Harry Kalaba and the Citizens First party lend significant credence to concerns previously raised by United Nations Special Rapporteurs regarding a shrinking democratic space in Zambia. The consistent application of the law is seen as paramount, and the CF party, identifying as a non-violent, democratic movement, emphasizes its commitment to equity, justice, and the dignity of all citizens.

Kalaba has urged the UPND leadership to cease what he terms hypocrisy in the application of the law and to uphold a single, consistent standard of justice for all Zambians. He underscored that Zambia, founded on democratic ideals and Christian values, must not regress into a system where the rule of law is applied selectively. The Citizens First party believes that the nation's foundational principles are at stake if these trends continue.

In a broader appeal, Kalaba called upon civil society organizations, faith-based institutions, and members of the clergy to actively speak out in defense of constitutional democracy, justice, and national unity. He warned that silence in the face of such injustices would only serve to deepen the current crisis, emphasizing the collective responsibility to safeguard democratic principles and prevent further Harry Kalaba Zambia selective justice.

Lawyers and compliance officers operating in Zambia should note the escalating concerns regarding the selective application of the law and political interference in the justice system, particularly affecting opposition figures. This situation signals increased political risk and potential challenges to due process, requiring heightened vigilance in advising clients on legal proceedings, detentions, and political exposure within the country.

Source: Original reporting via {source}