By CHARLES MUSONDA
THE Kampyongo family has protested the arrest of Andrew Kampyongo and his friend Kellyson Chilekwa, claiming this was aimed at silencing and victimising them just because their relative, Stephen Kampyongo, belongs to the Patriotic Front.
The family has appealed to the Human Rights Commission and other related bodies in the Southern African region, Africa, and the world at large to take keen interest in these cases against PF members arising from results of the August 12 elections.
“ As the family of former Home Affairs minister Stephen Kampyongo, we feel the arrest of our younger brother, Andrew and his co-suspect Kellyson Chilekwa for malicious damage to property is unfair, malicious and a well calculated act to silence and victimise us just because our relative (Mr. Kampyongo) is a member of the Patriotic Front (PF) Central Committee,” the family has charged.
Family spokesperson, Kapambwe Kampyongo, said the alleged incident over which Andrew and Chilekwa have been charged is said to have happened in July this year, way before the August 12 general elections and “we wonder why it has taken the police more than two months to investigate the matter; and charge and arrest the suspects for the alleged offence.”
The family says the police action to arrest the duo is against the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation that President Hakainde Hichilema has been preaching to all Zambians, ever since he took up office of the President.
The family has complained that Andrew and Chilekwa were on the receiving end of political violence inflicted on them and other PF members by UPND cadres during the same period but to date police have not taken action against the perpetrators despite culprits being well known members of the ruling party.
The family spokespersons has urged President Hichilema, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu, his Justice counterpart Mulambo Haimbe, Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha, and the Director of Public Prosecutions to also study this matter before trial starts soon.
Last week, police in Shiwang’andu arrested Kampyongo, 41, and Chilekwa, 29, of Chafilwa Village, Chief Mukwikile, for alleged malicious damage to property. According to police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, the two are alleged to have damaged a Samsung cell phone valued at K1, 000, property of Mike Mulenga, 40, also of Chafilwa village, a front windscreen of a Toyota Land Cruiser registration number AAK 1031 valued at K4, 500 and tail lights valued at K750, property of Dr. Albert Munanga; and JVC speakers valued at K12, 000 property of the UPND, all valued at K18, 250 on July 10, 2021. Mr. Hamoonga said the two suspects will appear in cou
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