Mon, 12 Jun 2017 11:05:40 +0000
…Prisons Chief explains visiting hours for HH
By Oscar Malipenga
THE Zambia Correctional Service has advised Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) to stop lying that he was prevented from visiting Hakainde Hichilema because the only reason entry was denied was because Saturday was not visiting day.
GBM, Chief Mukuni and Chief Hamusonde were not permitted to visit Hakainde Hichilema and only his wife, Mutinta, was allowed to take food because Saturday is not a visiting day, Zambia Correctional Service Chief, Percy Chato has clarified.
“We do not brutalise any prisoner and the accused is no exception,” Mr. Chato.
Meanwhile, Zambia Police Chief Kakoma Kanganja said the police had nothing to do with the transfer of Mr. Hichilema from Chimbokaila to Mukobeko as it was the preserve of the Zambia Correctional Service.
Mr. Chato has also clarified that Mr. Hichilema’s wife Mutinta was permitted to bring food to her husband on Saturday contrary to the falsehoods suggesting that she was denied entry.
In an interview with the Daily Nation, Mr. Chato said visits to Kabwe’s Mukobeko Maximum Security of the accused persons by their family and friends shall take place on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 hours to 11:40 hours and from 14:00 hours to 15:40 hours to enable us conduct mid-day lockup and final lock up respectively.
“We are not infringing upon the visitation rights of all the accused person. All visits are conducted as per rules contained in Rule 132 (1) and (2) of the Prison Act CAP 97 of the Laws of Zambia.
“No prisoner shall be allowed more than three visitors at any one time and all visits to prisoner shall take place during such hours as the officer in charge may direct,” he said.
Mr. Chato said Zambia Correctional Service operates by a system of laws and procedures.
“Visits to Kabwe Maximum Security of the accused persons by their family and friends shall take place on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday to enable us conduct mid-day lockup and final lock up respectively.
“GBM and the two Chiefs were not permitted to visit because Saturday is not a visiting day,” he explained.
Mr. Chato, however, said Mr. Hichilema’s wife was permitted to bring food to the accused person because Mr. Hichilema as an unconvicted prisoner had been permitted to maintain himself or receive from private sources at proper hours such as food or other necessities in accordance with Rule 87 of the Laws.
