SEAN TEMBO CALLS FOR ARREST OF ABUSIVE SOLDIERS

…as Kalaba reminds HH of his past use of foul language

ZAMBIA Army officers cap tured in a video torturing and undertaking mock exe cutions of teenage boys ac cused of defaming President Hakainde Hichilema, should be arrested, says Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) President Sean Tembo.

Mr Tembo, in a let ter addressed to President Hichilema, said Zambians were shocked to see soldiers mercilessly torturing three juveniles.

He said the soldiers were captured carrying out a mock execution with an assault ri fle, on one of the juvenile suspects.

Mr Tembo said Zambia was a constitutional democ racy and that all organs of Government, including the Executive and the Defence forces, must operate within the confines of the law.

He also said article 12 of the constitution specifically pro hibits torture or any other cru el or inhuman punishment.

He said the same consti tution prohibits extra-judicial punishment and requires that all suspects be presumed in nocent until proven guilty by a court of law or a competent tribunal.

“Mr President Sir, given the fact that the Zambia Army soldiers in question blatantly violated more than two pro visions of the Constitution of Zambia, which they swore to uphold and protect upon their admittance into the Zambia Army, and also given the fact that you are their Commander in Chief, I hereby request that the erring soldiers in question be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Zambia.

I trust that 14 calendar days from the date of this letter is an adequate period for you to state your position on this matter,” Mr Tembo said.

Meanwhile, Democratic Party president, Harry Kalaba has also implored President Hichilema to forgive the juveniles.

He also said torture has no place in a civilised society but a common thing for a military junta.

“I call upon you President Hakainde to reflect and real ise that your actions and what you allow to be done in your name has potential to heal or destroy the nation.

Forgive those kids who in sulted you at the very least get DEC to take them for re habilitation as they could be victims of substance abuse and at the worst let the law take its course but before you take any action remember that you are living in a glass house, having equally hurled unprintables on a campaign podium in September 2020 for the whole country to hear.,” Mr Kalaba said.