By 
The Edgar Lungu-led Patriotic Front (PF) has demanded the suspension of State House aides, Clayson Hamasaka, and Levy Ngoma, who have been implicated in the abduction case of Petauke Central lawmaker, Emmanuel Banda.
Banda had named Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka, and Special Assistant for Politics Levy Ngoma as involved in his abduction.
Emmanuel Mwamba, the PF faction’s Chairperson for Information and Publicity, issued these demands in a statement released in Lusaka on Friday.
Mwamba also called on United Party for National Development (UPND) Secretary-General, Batuke Imenda, to suspend Deputy National Youth Chairperson Trevor Mwiinde until the matter was resolved.
“To get to the bottom of the claims from both sides, it is imperative that President Hakainde Hichilema suspends the officials named in this matter,” Mwamba said.
Additionally, Mwamba demanded an independent inquiry to establish the truth behind the incident.
He alleged that there was an active and coordinated plot to cover up the abduction, including undermining Banda’s claims and keeping him in unjustified incarceration.
“This is by denigrating and undermining the claims and by keeping Hon. Banda in unjustified incarceration,” Mwamba claimed.
He called on stakeholders such as the Law Association of Zambia, the Church, and civil society groups to raise their voices on issues threatening the peace and security of the country.
Mwamba emphasized the seriousness of the abduction of a Member of Parliament, particularly since it implicated State House.
“Our fears are fortified by recent malicious actions by the State to focus on old cases allegedly committed by Hon. JJ Banda instead of addressing the immediate crisis of his abduction and failing health,” he stated.
Banda had sued the Attorney General and three others, seeking protection of his rights and damages for his abduction.
In his affidavit filed in the Lusaka High Court, Banda detailed a harrowing experience of being abducted, tortured, and left for dead, supported by attached medical records.
Hamasaka and Ngoma have denied any involvement and have taken countermeasures by reporting Banda to the police for criminal defamation.
Hamasaka has further stated, through his lawyers Mweemba and Company, that he would sue Banda for civil defamation, demanding K10 million in damages.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments