STATE HOUSE AIDES; HAMASAKA AND NGOMA, MUST STEP ASIDE
STATE HOUSE AIDES; HAMASAKA AND NGOMA, MUST STEP ASIDE
Patriotic Front Chair for Information Emmanuel Mwamba has stated that the abduction of Petauke Central Member of Parliament Emmanuel JJ Banda is a serious matter, as it has placed the State House at the center of this “gruesome and heinous crime.” Mwamba has called for the officials named in the matter to step aside.
Mwamba expressed concerns about the government’s recent “malicious action” to concentrate on “very old cases” allegedly committed by Banda, instead of addressing the immediate crisis of his abduction and failing health.
According to Mwamba, the government’s posture, starting with the press conference held by the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, on the morning of Banda’s discovery, appears to be an “active and coordinated plot to cover up the crimes of abduction and all those involved.”
Mwamba has demanded that President Hakainde Hichilema suspend the officials named in the matter and constitute an independent inquiry to establish the truth. He has also called for the UPND Secretary General, Batuke Imenda, to suspend the Deputy National Youth Chairperson, Trevor Mwiinde, until the matter is settled.
Mwamba expressed concerns that President Hichilema may hold “political disdain and contempt” for Banda, as evidenced by his desire to reopen cases that were previously closed in the courts. However, Mwamba stressed that as the President of the Republic of Zambia, Hichilema is obliged to protect the rights of all Zambians, including Banda.
Mwamba has called upon stakeholders, such as the Law Association of Zambia, the Church, and civil society groups, to raise their voices on the critical issues threatening the peace and security of the country. He emphasized the importance of constituting an independent inquiry to get to the bottom of the saga.
Petauke Central Member of Parliament Emmanuel JJ Banda has filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General and three others, seeking protection of his rights and damages for his alleged abduction. In his affidavit filed in the Lusaka High Court, Banda has provided a harrowing account of his ordeal, detailing how he was abducted, tortured, and left for dead. He has attached medical records to support his claims.