Zambia election: Amnesty Int’l, Commonwealth decry ex-minister’s killing
Amnesty International has called on Zambia to investigate the fatal shooting of Mutotwe Kafwaya, a former member of parliament for Lunte and ex-Minister of Transport. Kafwaya, who would have turned 50 on August 28, and other politicians had converged at a location in Kabulonga, Lusaka, on August 14, hours after the presidential election. Security forces stormed […] Zambia election: Amnesty Int’l,…
Mutotwe Kafwaya, Zambia's former Parliament member and ex-Transport Minister, was fatally shot on August 14, 2021, along with other opposition figures after the presidential election in Lusaka. Amnesty International and the Commonwealth have condemned the killing, urging the Zambian government to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation into the incident. The civil society organizations demand that those responsible for Kafwaya's death be held accountable through fair trials.
Kafwaya's death followed reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions of opposition figures during the electoral period. The government's claim that the detained individuals were involved in an insurrection plot and recovered military-grade weapons remains unverified. The authorities are bound by Zambia's Constitution and international human rights law to protect citizens' rights to life, liberty, and a fair hearing.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, expressed dismay over the raid that led to Kafwaya's death, calling for the immediate release of all political detainees and an end to indiscriminate arrests. Botchwey urged all parties in Zambia to engage in constructive dialogue to de-escalate tensions and safeguard peace and stability in the country.
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