Activist, Changala, states position on release of ex-minister Mwamba, other politicians still in detention

Civil rights activist, Brebnar Changala, has commended President Hakainde Hichilema for pardoning former Defence Minister, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM), and 12 others on medical grounds, but urged the government to extend similar compassion to opposition leaders detained for bailable offences.

Describing the presidential pardon as a humane gesture, Changala noted that several opposition figures remained incarcerated despite having applied for bail pending appeal, and continued to languish in prison.

In an interview with Zambia Monitor on Thursday, Changala said Mwamba, who was reportedly unwell even before his imprisonment, should have been granted bail to access medical treatment rather than being released after his health had deteriorated.

“The government, which has engineered most of these incarcerations, should have allowed GBM to attend to his medical conditions through bail, not wait until his condition worsened,” Changala said.

He advised GBM to now prioritise his health by seeking medical treatment either locally or abroad following his release.

Changala further criticised the state’s influence over the judiciary, alleging that government pressure had compromised the independence of the courts and their ability to grant bail in politically sensitive cases.

“The judiciary is under siege from government officials pushing these cases. That’s why their hands are tied, and they can’t grant bail even for bailable offences. This wasn’t the case under previous regimes—it’s a shame,” he said.

On the recent announcement that the Socialist Party had joined the Tonse Alliance, Changala praised the move, saying it was a step toward building a more united opposition ahead of the 2026 general elections.

He observed that the ruling UPND was exploiting divisions within the opposition and stood a strong chance of winning the next election if the fragmentation continued.

“When faced with a crisis like the current political climate, ideology becomes secondary. Unity is essential to address the challenge at hand—ideological differences can be sorted out later,” Changala said.

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