43 NRPUP MEMBERS RELEASED AFTER HIGH COURT RULING

43 NRPUP MEMBERS RELEASED AFTER HIGH COURT RULING By Josphat Hamakala Forty-three people detained at Chelston Police Station since August 14th are now free after the Lusaka High Court ruled that their continued detention was not justified. Among those released is National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity-NRPUP official Joseph Kaseya, who was picked up […]

43 NRPUP MEMBERS RELEASED AFTER HIGH COURT RULING

By Josphat Hamakala

Forty-three people detained at Chelston Police Station since August 14th are now free after the Lusaka High Court ruled that their continued detention was not justified.

Among those released is National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity-NRPUP official Joseph Kaseya, who was picked up together with other people following election-related activities.

According to lawyer, Paul Mayaka of Messrs Musendema and co, the group was picked up by men dressed in military-style uniforms, who identified themselves as commandos.

They were allegedly taken away in several white Land Cruisers after some of them were beaten.

The group included NRPUP members as well as other people who were allegedly picked up from different places and for different reasons, bringing the number to 43.

They were taken to Chelston Police Station, where they remained in detention for 21 days without being charged with any offence.

The State later told the High Court that the 43 had not been charged, while an alleged firearm linked to the matter had already been registered with police and released to its owner.

This prompted the group to seek a habeas corpus order, asking the High Court to examine whether their continued detention was lawful.

In its ruling, the High Court stressed the constitutional protection of personal liberty and found that the State had failed to provide sufficient justification for keeping the 43 in custody.

The court consequently ordered their immediate release and directed the State to meet the costs of the case.

Their release brought an emotional end to weeks of uncertainty, as relatives who had been waiting outside the court finally reunited with their loved ones.

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