Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the South)-People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Tendai Biti has castigated Zambia authorities for the continued detention of opposition politician Hakaime Hichilema.
The Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema was arrested and charged with treason after allegedly obstructing the motorcade of President Edgar Lungu.
Hichilema, an economist and wealthy businessman, was then detained after the incident involving the motorcade as it passed through Mongu, 500km west of the capital Lusaka.
He has remained in detention ever since with opposition members attacking the government of President Lungu of stifling dissent.
Biti who has had run-ins with President Mugabe wrote on social media that this continued detention of Hichilema is proof of how SADC leadership is lacking in moral leadership.
“The continued unlawful detention of Hakainde Hichilema by Zambian authorities is unacceptable & proof that moral leadership in SADC is gone”, he said.
Guess Nyirenda the Executive Director of Operation Young Vote, a Zambian activist grouping also voiced his views of the issue.
“We appeal to the Zambia Police Service – IG through the President who is their Commander in Chief to release Hakainde Hichilema unconditionally and without delay as this is inevitable for restoring Zambia’s peace and tranquility”
“The raid on the UPND leader’s residence by hundreds of police officers, alleged breaking of property and tear gassing of innocent family member leaves a lot to be desired”
“A call out would have worked as before. The alleged beating of Members of Parliament such as Garry Nkombo is also out of order”, he said.
The normally stable Zambia has suddenly found itself enmeshed in acrimonious political tussles mainly pitting Hichilema and Lungu in the fight for power.
President Lungu recently threatened to impose a state of emergency in some parts of the country after some rowdy scenes which resulted in the burning of buildings.
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