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The State has rejected allegations by former Lumezi Member of Parliament Munir Zulu, currently serving an 18-month sentence for criminal defamation, that he was subjected to inhumane treatment, including sexual advances from male inmates, while detained at Mwembeshi Correctional Facility.
Authorities insisted that no such complaints were ever reported to prison officials.
In their response to Zulu’s petition filed on November 25, 2025, in the Lusaka High Court, Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha argued that the former lawmaker had failed to provide any proof to support his claims.
According to the respondents, Zulu never lodged a complaint of sexual harassment or advances from fellow inmates, and the facility’s administration had no record of any such occurrence.
“The petitioner has never brought to our attention any complaint of sexual advances or harassment from inmates,” the State stated in its filings.
The State also denied allegations that Zulu was stripped naked and forced to expose his private parts during searches, saying he had not provided “cogent evidence” to substantiate claims of degrading and humiliating treatment.
They insisted that all searches conducted on inmates were performed in accordance with established correctional procedures.
On Zulu’s complaint that he was denied access to money brought by visitors, the State said inmates were allowed to receive both raw food and cash.
Read More: Ex-MP Zulu sues state over alleged humiliating strip searches at Mwembeshi prison
However, they clarified that while inmates were not permitted to personally handle money—which is considered a prohibited article—they had full access to its use through reception officers who kept it on their behalf.
“Inmates are not allowed to personally possess money, as it is a prohibited article, but they are never denied access to funds brought by their visitors,” Senior Superintendent Kennedy Samakai and Senior Assistant Commissioner Changala Silwamba stated in their supporting affidavit.
The State also dismissed Zulu’s argument that confiscation of money violated his constitutional rights under Article 16, maintaining that correctional rules allowed officers to secure prohibited items found on inmates.
They added that on September 7 and 13, 2025—the dates on which Zulu alleged he was stripped and searched—no such incidents occurred.
The respondents insisted that none of Zulu’s rights had been infringed and said he was not entitled to the reliefs he was seeking before the court.
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