03/09/2026
UN, HRC Demand Speedy Justice for 84 Election-Related Detainees
THE Human Rights Commission (HRC) has called on the police and prosecutors to urgently review the cases of at least 84 people detained in connection with the 2026 General Elections and post-election security operations.
The Commission said some of the detainees have spent weeks in police custody without being charged, while others have been charged but have faced delays in appearing before court.
In a statement issued today, HRC Chairperson Dr Pamela Sambo said the Zambia Police Service and the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) must ensure that every person in custody is either promptly charged and taken before a competent court, granted police bond where the law permits, or released where there is no lawful basis for their continued detention.
The Commission said it was closely monitoring the cases of at least 84 people arrested in connection with election-related incidents and security operations across the country.
Among those being monitored are Alphonso Daka and 42 others who were arrested on August 14, 2026, following commotion in Lusaka's Roma Township.
The HRC said most of the 43 detainees were bus drivers from Matero Constituency and that, although they had been warned and cautioned and investigations at Chelston Police Station had been concluded, they were still in police custody as of September 1.
The Commission also said that six people, including Newton Miti, Joseph Phiri, Collins Kavwali, Kennedy Chimfwembe, Emmanuel Banda and Fredrick Machali, had remained in police custody following an operation in Ng’ombe Township on August 13.
As of September 1, the six had spent 19 days in custody without being charged, while Enock Roosevelt Tonga, who was arrested at the National Results Centre on August 17, also remained in custody.
The HRC further noted the case of 16 people, including musicians Moses Ng’andwe, popularly known as Chester, Felix Ndangeni Inshila, also known as Felix Phiri, and comedian Winston Ngosa, popularly known as IDC Light Comedy.
The 16 have since appeared before the Kalabo Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court, where they pleaded not guilty to riotous behaviour and were granted bail pending trial, but only after spending several days in pre-trial detention.
The Commission also raised concern over the continued detention of 18 people who have been formally arrested and charged with one count of treason.
Among them are National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) losing presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, his running mate Makebi Zulu, businessman Valden Findlay, and other people arrested during a security operation in Kabulonga on August 14.
The other accused persons include Brazil Soko, Jackson Mutyoka, Bernard Chewe, Simon Phiri, Richard Banda, George Kangwa Chisanga, Trevor Mwamba, Francis Mulenga, Emmanuel Mulenga, Patrick Mwansa and Darius Mwila.
The HRC has called for the 18 accused persons to be brought before a competent court without undue delay and for the case to proceed strictly in accordance with the law.
However, treason is among the offences for which bail is restricted under Section 123 of the Criminal Procedure Code, meaning a person charged with treason is generally not eligible for bail under that provision.
“Every detained person must be promptly charged and brought before a competent court; or granted police bond where appropriate; or indeed released where there is no lawful basis for their continued detention,” Dr Sambo said.
Meanwhile, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, Gina Romero, has called on Zambian authorities to release political detainees, stating that widespread arrests of opposition leaders set a dangerous precedent.
“The Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Gina Romero, today (Wednesday), expressed grave concern over the deteriorating democratic and human rights environment in Zambia,” Romero stated.
She further called on the Government to uphold democratic integrity and immediately stop what she described as the criminalisation of political dissent.
Brahsterhausy jr September 3, 2026
