Zambian minister Jacob Mwiimbu defends arrests over Hichilema threats
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Zambianobserver
Zambian Interior Minister Jacob Mwiimbu defended before the National Assembly the arrest of people accused of threatening President Hakainde Hichilema, and criticised the silence of the opposition, churches and civil society. He also justified the extradition from Mozambique of former MP Emmanuel Jay Banda, according to Zambianobserver.
Jacob Mwiimbu, a Zambian minister and ruling-party MP, defended the arrest of people accused of threatening President Hakainde Hichilema with death. He said security services could act to protect the head of state without seeking permission from the opposition or civil society, Zambianobserver reports.
The minister also justified the extradition from Mozambique and arrest of Emmanuel Jay Banda, a former Zambian MP described as a fugitive. He nevertheless described Mozambique’s involvement in explanations related to the operation as regrettable and accused some actors of manufacturing a political controversy to weaken judicial proceedings, according to Zambianobserver.
Jacob Mwiimbu called on religious leaders, civil society leaders and citizens to reject “politics of malice”. His statements came as the Zambian presidency had already defended the arrest of former MP Jay Banda, while NGOs had sought explanations for the arrest (NGOs’ requests for explanations).
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
