Political prisoners in Petauke on aggravated robbery charge

Dear Editor IT was with shock and outrage that I learnt that the people who roughed up Miles Sampa’s apostles in Petauke are still in custody, one month later, charged with the un-bailable offence of aggravated robbery.

It is very clear that this is a political offence that does not fit the circumstances under which it was committed, this is meant to punish the victims before the matter goes to court where it will be dismissed.

Those people languishing in police cells in Petauke are political prisoners, plain and simple. They are not criminals. If they ever committed an offence it was to discipline those unruly disciples of Miles Sampa who is set to bring confusion and turmoil in Zambia.

This country has never witnessed the type of constitutional and executive abuse as we are witnessing today. The Police, Parliament and not to mention the executive are completely cadre-led and are making decisions that are clearly in the interest of the UPND.

It is very depressing that political prisoners, like those in Petauke can languish in police cells without the Church and all influential people raising a voice in protest.

This is how countries descend into total anarchy and disrepute.

When such wrong things are allowed to continue without being corrected by the Judiciary, wrong doings being allowed to continue.

We must learn lessons from countries that have descended into anarchy because the rightful things are not done to correct the wrong doing.

This country is going the wrong way and the sooner that we correct the trajectory the better. If nothing is done trouble will start. I am sure that come 2026 there will be no peace in the PF strongholds when the two PF factions face each other with the Electoral Commission of Zambia favouring the Miles Sampa group.

Given the lack of confidence in the Judiciary, the situation is going to be chaotic because parties and individuals will decide to take the law in their own hands.

This will most certainly come to pass and the international community will stand aside as the people fight in political battles that will degenerate into physical confrontation.

As a nation we have a duty to stand up and defend the constitution otherwise we face the danger of descending into confusion in which all the gains achieved in the last 60 years will be rolled back.