By PERPETUAL SICHIKWEKWE –
THE Human Rights Commission (HRC) is saddened with the gruesome killing of an elderly woman by an angry mob in Lusaka’s Chibolya Township over allegations of witchcraft.
HRC director Florence Chibwesha regrets that human life which is so sacred could be taken away in such a brutal manner.
It was unacceptable and could never be condoned no matter how serious the crime one committed.
Ms Chibwesha has since asked the police to investigate the matter and bring culprits to book.
“We would like to condemn in strongest terms the gruesome killing of the old woman and call upon the Zambia Police to quickly investigate the mob justice attack and apprehend the people behind it so that they can face the law,” she said.
Ms Chibwesha said it was important that people remember that the Constitution of Zambia guaranteed everyone the right to life and that a person was innocent until proved guilty.
“The public is, therefore, advised not to take the law in their hands through mob justice as it is against the law, but should instead allow the police do their duty whenever someone is suspected of wrong doing,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ms Chibwesha said the Commission was dismayed at the failure by the Police to take quick action against Patriotic Front (PF) cadres alleged to be harassing and victimising marketers.
Ms Chibwesha alleged that the cadres had continued to perpetuate violence despite President Edgar Lungu’s directive to the Police to bring the situation under control.
The reported attack of a female marketeer and her two sons at Soweto Market over the weekend by suspected PF cadres raised great concern about the lack of action to contain political violence.
Ms Chibwesha has since appealed to the police to enforce the law against the perpetrators of violence without fear or favour.