Thursday, March 28, 2024

Acquittal of Mutinta Mmembe exposes abuse of power by those in authority

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Fred Mmembe with wife Mutinta and Joseph Mwenda sit outside Bwinjimfumu road after they were arrested
FILE: Fred Mmembe with wife Mutinta and Joseph Mwenda sit outside Bwinjimfumu road after they were arrested

Operation Young Vote has said the acquittal of Mutinta M’membe by the Lusaka Magistrate has not only exposed ill intentions, abuse of authority and fear of the unknown by those who wield authority but is also victory against perpetrators of human rights violations in Zambia. In a statement released to the media, Executive Director of OYV Guess Nyirenda said Zambia will not develop if those in authority treat institutions as their personal tuntembas. He urged Mrs M’membe to continue being a torch bearer in the stand against tyranny.

Below is the Full statement

The acquittal of Mutinta M’membe by the Lusaka Magistrate Faides Hamaundu in the case of obstructing court officials from executing a search warrant, has not only exposed ill intentions, abuse of authority and fear of the unknown by those who wield authority but is also victory against perpetrators of human rights violations in Zambia.
It is very sad that we have authorities that thrive on intimidating, fighting and trampling on the rights of their own citizens without any reflection and remorse.

As OYV, we are of the conviction that as long as our leaders or those in authority at whatever level continue to abuse the structures of government and governance, handle institutions as their personal tuntembas and also fear their own shadows and violate people’s human rights to save their complexes (inferiority or superiority) Zambia as a country shall remain stagnant in all aspects.

We therefore want to urge Mutinta M’membe to continue being a torch bearer in standing strong against tyranny and human rights violators as this is inspiring not only to women and the old but also to men and the younger generations.

The acquittal also has elements of lessons for those who are easily sent (used) by those in authority to execute missions they have little or no understanding of that such embarrassment on the state will be the order of the day, if professionalism is thrown to the wind.

There is every need by those in authority to seriously introspect and consider a paradigm shift in the way they treat all citizens regardless of their status in society including those they take as threats or enemies.

For and on behalf of OYV
Guess Nyirenda (Mr.)
Executive Director

11 COMMENTS

  1. Guess Nyirenda your name suggests you dont know much.

    Since when did one give credence to the compromised judiciary in our country?

    Grow up, Mutinta should have been charged, the fact that her case didn’t go anywhere proves the judiciary were compromised.

    I didn’t ‘Guess’ that one!

    Thanks

    BB2014,2016

  2. Acquittal does not suggest one is innocent. People have set free on technicality of the law, even those with grivious crime like murder have been let off the hook. Sometimes it’s to do with underqualified state prosecutors
    So don’t be quick to pour scorn on the judiciary!

    • An acquittal is expected to be based on the strength of the evidence presented. Weak evidence by the prosecution will set the suspect free. On the other hand, strong arguments on the part of the prosecution is most likely to yield similar verdict.

      Point is: In a functional democracy, the independence of the judicial system must never be questioned.

  3. Acquittal can also suggest HH gave money to a judge! Wrong title! It can also be “Support your local team!” And it is true you can be acquired on technical grounds as well but remain GUILTY like HH.

    • Sorry friends, I meant to say “You can be acquitted on technical …” I was in a hurry and I thought HH was coming with Arsonists group at me!

  4. Look at who is talking. A court case is a win win and it can go either way. But Zambian intellectuals fall to understand simple things. It does also not mean that the Judge is right. Sometimes judges have been found to be wrong. Ba Guess – you should be happy that government did not interfere in the case as you also want us to believe. Sometimes people have been jailed for something they have not committed.

  5. The acquittal only proves we have a functional judiciary. If those in power were manipulating the judiciary, Mutinta would be in choox right now. Despite the negative image of the judiciary created by upnd and other useless opposition, it’s quite functional and doing its best to be as independent as possible with the advent of the new constitution.

    • The acquittal does not prove that we have a functional judiciary. It should be based on the preponderance of evidence. The fact that the independence of the judiciary is being interrogated means it does not have the confidence of the people. That, in and of itself is very sad.

  6. There’s no exposure here, exposure to what? If Mutinta was convicted you would have said the judiciary is compromised? Come on grow up. This is fair judgment. If the video clip had really shown Mutinta tearing the search warrant, am sure this happened, she would be screaming behind bars. Just grow up and relinquish the built up hatred you have or you will bust!

    • Sir, the video would only show Mutinta tearing up a piece of paper. Proving that it was a search warrant would have another hurdle. Subsequent to that would have been the question: Does tearing up a search warrant amount to obstruction of justice? What circumstances would be guiding ?

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