Dead political detainees in cells malicious propaganda -- Police

*...dispels assertions that suspects with political connections have been dying in police cells and subsequently being dumped at the military hospital in Lusaka*

By NATION REPORTER

THE Zambia Police Service has dismissed as false and "pure propaganda" claims that politically connected individuals have been dying in police custody before their bodies are secretly taken to Maina Soko Military Hospital.

Police spokesperson Chipo Kaitisha said there was no truth in claims circulating that suspects with political connections had been dying in police cells and subsequently being dumped at the military hospital.

Ms Kaitisha said the police remained closely connected to communities and that any death occurring in police custody would not be concealed from the public.

She was speaking in an interview yesterday following reports and speculation alleging that some politically connected detainees had died while in police custody.

"The police are very close to the community and in an event any suspect dies in our custody, everyone will know. There is no such a thing. That is pure propaganda...it is malicious because there are no such occurrences," Ms Kaitisha said.

She described the claims as a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation and create public suspicion around the police service and the treatment of suspects in custody.

She said the police were aware of the allegations but maintained that there was no pattern of politically connected suspects dying in police cells and being taken to Maina Soko Military Hospital.

Ms Kaitisha said where a death occurred in police custody, established procedures would be followed and the circumstances would become known.

"There is no such a thing. Maybe it happened on one person and it has been blown out of proportion," Ms Kaitisha said.

Her denial comes amid heightened political tensions and increased public scrutiny of the treatment of opposition figures and other politically active persons following the August 13 general elections.

Ms Kaitisha reiterated that the claims of politically connected detainees dying in police cells and being secretly transferred to Maina Soko were unfounded.

Ends.