DPP Defends Delay in Taking Mundubile and Makebi Treason Case to Court

Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri has defended the time it is taking to bring Tonse Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, Makebi Zulu and other treason suspects before the courts, and has asked the public to give law enforcement agencies space to do their…

Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri has defended the time it is taking to bring Tonse Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, Makebi Zulu and other treason suspects before the courts, and has asked the public to give law enforcement agencies space to do their work.

The plea follows a call by the Law Association of Zambia for the release of Mr Mundubile, Mr Zulu and others who have been detained without being taken to court.

Mr Phiri said it is appalling that suspects in Zambia are expected to appear in court a day after arrest, whatever the complexity of the alleged offences. The state wants accused persons before a judge, he said, but due diligence has to come first so that each case is properly investigated and backed by sufficient evidence.

In complex matters, that work takes time. Investigators must obtain witness statements, medical reports and other evidence before a fully supported case can go to court.

To make the point, the DPP turned to earlier treason trials, citing that of Edward Jack Shamwana. The case, he said, took considerable time from arrest to trial and eventual conviction, and he insisted that agencies must be allowed adequate time to finish their investigations.

Mr Mundubile and his running mate are expected before the High Court in Solwezi today, Friday, in connection with a seditious practices charge.