The Barotse prisoners who were convicted to twelve months imprisonment, but serving six months in prison and six months suspended for two years, for destroying copies of the draft constitution of the Republic of Zambia are traumatised by being denied medical attention and visitations from friends and relatives.
This is according to a press statement released to the media by the Barotse Freedom Movement.
Reports received by the Barotse Freedom Movement (BFM) state that Prison authorities are denying the Barotse prisoners access to medical treatment, food stuffs and visitations from their relatives, friends and sympathisers.
At Mongu prison where four Barotse activists are jailed, including the BFM National Secretary Mulasikwanda Chazele, it is reported that last week visitors who went to the prison were not allowed in by prison authorities. BFM National Chairman Nyambe Namushi confirmed that he was informed by relatives of the prisoners of the development.
The problem arose after one of the prisoners, Limpo Likwenga, had collapsed in prison due to hypertension. Chazele is reported to have demanded that Likwenga be evacuated to Lewanika General Hospital where he was referred by the prison clinic but the prison authorities refused. Hence disciplinary action was taken against Chazele for arguing with one of the named Prison Chief Inspectors. Chazele was placed in solitary confinement and incommunicado for one full day. Likwenga is a known patient of High Blood Pressure. During the trial of the Barotse Activists at Kaoma Magistrate’s court Likwenga had collapsed in court and had to be taken to Kaoma district hospital.
At Senanga State Prison, where there are three Barotse prisoners, Namushi said that he had received similar reports from relatives who went to visit the prisoners; that they were denied to see them. Even the provisions which they had taken for them were not allowed.
The situation at Kaoma State Prison was slightly different in that there were no reports of denial of visits by relatives. The activists were, however, reported to have contracted chest infections of unknown origin and have been attended to by hospital authorities. Otherwise except that prison conditions are naturally not fit for human habitation, the prison authorities at Kaoma treat the activists humanely.
Namushi said that he had instructed Mongu based BFM and BNFA executive members to report the problems at Mongu and Senanga prisons to the Human Rights Commission office in Mongu. He noted that it is against human rights to deny a prisoner medical treatment and visits from relatives and friends. Prisoners have the right to receive food supplements from relatives because prison diet is inadequate and often not properly cooked. Namushi is concerned with the health of Limpo Likwenga because he is a hypertensive patient who needs regular check up and a special diet.He said therefore denying them food supplied by relatives is unacceptable. He demanded that the Human Rights Commission should visit the Barotse political prisoners to ascertain the truth and conditions under which they are being subjected to. In particular Likwenga must be referred to hospital and allowed to have regular BP checkups as recommended by medical doctors.
By Nyambe Namushi
BFM National Chairman
I wonder if these guys are now missing RB? But seriously PF should stop pissing so many people off.The country will explode.Didn’t they hear TB Joshua’s prophesy?
Zambia is not the only country in Africa
Why are Lozi prisoners treated so inhumanly and differently from the rest of inmates elsewhere in Zambia? Rupiah Banda treated them with cruelty and now Sata’s PF government is doing the same, why?
Denying food and medication is a total breach of human rights.
I’d hate to see someone serve six months with denied medical attention for abrogating my beloved BA64 so shredding a document in my mind doesn’t warrant this in light of the fact that even the ruling party once had no problem ripping up a similar document with no time served. Double standards.
Just record all these things. And please right down the names of the prison and police officers who are denying these people their human rights. When are Mukupa and Sata going to be arrested for tearing a copy of the NCC draft Republican constitution at a rally in 2010? Is tearing papers something you jail people for? Disgusting government!
How does the BFM know that these prisoners are being denied medication if they are denied visitation of family and friends?
Did the prison wardens leak out the information to them?
Aaah so someone tore the NCC draft National Constitution at a rally in 2010 and nothing was done?
Aaaahh, so Hon. Sakeni’s statement that no one was above the law was mere politicking? OK. But should Ministers engage in politicking?
I thought politicking should be left to ordinary party cadres especially kaponyas, who have no clue about good governance and complicated subjects such as law and economics.
Just desserts!
LOl…Ndeloleshafye.
.Human rights activist where are you hiding to speak about the Journalist Pondamali and these Lozi?? You only defend gays and Lesbians?? You must be insane if you are not biased come out and say something !!
IF YOU ARE DENIED FOOD FOR 6 MONTHS, IS IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO BE ALIVE UP TO TRHIS TIME?
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