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Changala Breaks Down Before Justice Reforms Commission
Civil Rights Activist Brebner Changala this morning broke down as he made a verbal submission to the Legal and Justice Reforms Commission during the ongoing public hearings in Lusaka.
Making his submissions before the Commission which was sitting at Kabwata community hall,Mr Changala broke down as he recollected the ordeal he went through in August last year when the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) raided his house and later charged him with trafficking in 59 tablets of methylenedioxy methamphetamine a drug popularly known as ecstasy.
In his submission Mr. Changala observed that despite the DEC being established for a noble cause, he believes the investigative body is currently working outside its mandate.
Mr. Changala, 53 of House No. 4810, Kabwata Township, says this is because the DEC appears to be used by government to allegedly settle political scores with people perceived to be opposed to government.
He told the Commission that he does not see the reason why, for example, the DEC should raid a citizen’s home as early as 02:00hrs in morning using its own signed search warrant and later take the citizen to court without bearing any legal costs but later enter a nolle prosequi.
Mr. Changala submitted that such night raids should come to an end as they are barbaric, against decency and human rights, and show lack of respect for individuals.
And Mr. Changala has proposed that the Legal and Justice Reforms Commission recommends that courts be given powers to ask the Director of Public Prosecution (DDP) to give reasons for entering a nolle prosequi especially when the matter before the court appears to be suspicious or politically motivated.
He says this is in view of the fact that the appointment of the DPP by the Head of State is allegedly a political appointment and currently appears to be used to allegedly settle political scores with people who seemingly opposed to the government.
The civil rights activist has also proposed that the period in which a nolle prosequi should remain effective be reduced to a life span of six months as opposed to the current situation where the period is indefinite.
He has also submitted to the commission that it recommends that all charges that are non bailable such as treason or drug trafficking offenses be made bailable as it is in other countries such as South Africa and neighboring Zimbabwe.
Posted by
Shogun
August 1, 2014 at 7:59 am
Well articulated arguments that need serious reflection. When an adult shows so much grief it is shows there is a REAL problem. It is not acceptable that indeed state institutions should be used against innocent people. It is un acceptable that Gestapo methods are still operational in this era and age. Rename DEC as Gestapo
PATIENCE
August 1, 2014 at 9:16 am
Imwe naimwe, he is just a baby. Are these the leaders of Up and Down sure? My foot I cannot vote for such babies.
Ken
August 1, 2014 at 9:45 am
Boma ni Boma Badaaaala!
Jinx
August 1, 2014 at 9:06 am
Is he accepting or denies that he is drug dealer
Simplicity
August 1, 2014 at 9:18 am
How old is Brebner? A real man cannot cry like that. Oooh, he was crying because he remembered HH’s loss in 2011.
sudan
August 1, 2014 at 11:52 am
WE REALY NEED REFORMS.
FOR EXAMPLE IN KABOMPO A POLICE OFFICER BY THE NAME OF KAY MBAMBIKO HAD SEX WITH A MINOR GRADE 12 AND ORGANISED A PARTY FOR THE GIRL FRIEND BY THE NAME OF MATESU PEZO FROM 11 TO 22 HRS AT HIS BWIME GUEST HOUSE BUT THE POLICE ARRESTED AN INNOCENT TEACHER AS WAY OF PROTECTING THE NAMED POLICE OFFICER.THIS HAPPENED ON 19TH JULY AND REPORTS ARE THERE AT KABOMPO HIGH SCHOOL
NOW THE GIRLS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL FOR ATTENDING THE PARTY HE HAD ORGANISED FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN BUT THE POLICE OFFICER IS FREE AND ARRESTED THE TEACHER.
CAN THE POLICE OFFICER BE ARRESTED AS WELL FOR HAVING SEX WITH AN UNDER AGE
WE REALY NEED ALOT OF REFORMS IN ZAMBIA
tutu
August 1, 2014 at 3:05 pm
ule joina bena kanene chikala,fwebene twalibelela dobo iwe uletuletela ifyakutufulunganya fi ecstasy…ubulimi bulekulolela
CHILD
August 1, 2014 at 4:45 pm
He is a baby hence crying. That’s a simple thing to cry for. A ggod leader is one who cries over the sufferings of others. And you call him a leader?
csl
August 1, 2014 at 7:27 pm
#sudan!! How can an under age be in grade twelve? In zambia our children start grade one @ seven and reach grade twelve @ ninteen. Under age by law mean someone who has not attained the age of sixteen. sixteen years and above we are allowed to hammer. kikikiiiiiii!
angoni chaiwo
August 2, 2014 at 5:49 am
i like changala’s concerns, they’re real and i hope the powers that be can improve this injustice we the ruled pass through. I disagree with those bloggers who associate crying with babies only: their several reasons why we cry. We also cry, at times, when we’re happy.