IT seems power has gotten to Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s head and is starting to affect his judgment, says Socialist Party president Fred M’membe.
Dr M’membe said there’s need to administer justice with impartiality.
“It seems power has gotten to Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s head and is starting to affect his judgment and vision – it’s blinding him quite fast. By allowing opposition leaders to be unjustifiably arrested, detained and prosecuted, Mr Hichilema, those in power, are sending a dangerous signal that the criminal justice system can be used to persecute and fix opponents of the regime” he wrote on his Facebook wall. “Contrary to his insinuations, there’s no opposition leader that has put himself or herself above law or thinks that he or she is above the law. Their complaint is that there’s no equality before law under Mr Hichilema’s administration. It is a well-known fact that throughout history, those who administer or control the criminal justice system hold the power with the potential for abuse and tyranny. And this is exactly what Mr Hakainde Hichilema is doing.”
Dr M’membe said the statutory powers to arrest and prosecute those who commit crimes should be reasonably exercised and in good faith.
“We have been attacked by known UPND cadres and complained to the police but no arrests or prosecutions have ever taken place. There’s need to administer justice [with] impartiality. Impartial law enforcement should be guaranteed by institutions charged with that responsibility,” he said.
Dr M’membe said President Hichilema has forgotten so easily because he demanded the rule of law in opposition.
“We should apply institutions to every aspect of law enforcement as a wall wired with high-tension electricity line. The only antidote to the culture of venality is the readiness of our criminal justice system to apply the laws fairly and equally. We should at all times uphold the rule of law, integrity of the criminal justice system and the right to a fair trial,” said Dr M’membe. “No section of the community has all the virtues, neither does any have all the vices. It’s amazing how Mr Hichilema has forgotten so quickly because not so long ago he demanded for the same equality before the law that we seek today from those who were in power at that time. So what has changed now?”- The Mast
Source: The Zambian Observer
