RELEASE MR RIZWANI PATEL AND HIS COLLEAGUES OR TAKE THEM TO COURT IMMEDIATELY- UMODZI KUM’MAWA
RELEASE MR RIZWANI PATEL AND HIS COLLEAGUES OR TAKE THEM TO COURT IMMEDIATELY
On behalf of KUM’MAWA DEVELOPMENT COALITION, also known as UMODZI KUM’MAWA, we vehemently condemn the unjust treatment and detention of the youths from the Eastern Province and Petauke in particular without due process under the name of Rizwani Patel and his co-accused. We find it deeply disheartening and disturbing to witness the flagrant violation of their rights as youths from our province to be languishingly kept behind bars for more than a month without being taken to court or given the opportunity to defend themselves.
We unequivocally declare that the Youth Day commemoration, occurring under such heinous political injustices orchestrated by the UPND Government, is nothing short of a tragic and sorrowful occasion. To us as a group, we believe that this grave violation of these youths’ fundamental rights undermines the very essence of democracy and justice, highlighting a distressing state of affairs under the present regime and thereby destroying our One Zambia, One Nation identity and spirit.
As a pressure group, we find it an abomination that charges were arbitrarily imposed on these young individuals without a fair and transparent investigation, leaving them trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of detention in the name of opposition politics. Their prolonged confinement, without any legal recourse, not only tarnishes the reputation of our justice system but also underscores the erosion of basic human rights that should be upheld and cherished.
UMODZI KUM’MAWA vehemently demands the immediate release of Rizwani Patel, his colleagues, and all other youths unjustly detained under similar circumstances especially from Eastern Province. We urge all citizens, civil society organizations, and international bodies to join UMODZI KUM’MAWA in condemning this flagrant violation of the Eastern Province youths’ rights and voicing their support for justice and equality. We pledge to continue fighting for the rights of these youths and ensure that their voices are heard until justice prevails.
On this Youth Day, let it serve as a solemn reminder of the urgent need to rectify the current injustices against the Eastern Province youths and to restore faith in the principles of fairness, equality, and justice that our nation should embody. Together, we can build a future where the rights and dignity of every young person are safeguarded, irrespective of their political affiliations or geographic origin.
Umodzi Kum’mawa Development Coalition (KDC) aims to strategically advance development programs for the people of Eastern Province in the broader context for the modernization and development of Zambia by advocating and defending for their interests and rights in all sectors. The coalition recognizes that the region has abundant natural resources and the local people must always be engaged and prioritized to discover and actualize their full developmental potential just like other Zambians elsewhere.
Issued for and on behalf of KUM’MAWA DEVELOPMENT COALITION-KDC
Chanoda Ngwira F
SPOKESPERSON