KAFWAYA’S WIFE SEEKS COURT ORDER OVER HUSBAND’S DETENTION
By Josphat Hamakala
Former Lunte Member of Parliament Mutotwe Kafwaya’s wife, Dinis Ng’andu Kafwaya, has asked the Lusaka High Court for leave to commence habeas corpus proceedings over her husband’s continued detention.
Mrs Kafwaya says her husband remains in custody and, to the best of her knowledge, has not been brought before a court of competent jurisdiction.
She says the matter is urgent and is seeking the court’s permission to file the habeas corpus application and accompanying documents during the current Michaelmas vacation.
Mrs Kafwaya argues that any delay could further prejudice Mr Kafwaya and undermine the protection of his liberty.
STATEMENT BELOW:
19 August 2026
ATTN: ALL MEDIA HOUSES
PRESS STATEMENT
It has come to our attention that our relatives are being held at separate Zambia Police facilities in Lusaka following an operation conducted at the residence of NRPUP leader Mr. Brian Mundubile on 14 August 2026. The operation was subsequently publicly acknowledged by Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Patrick Kangwa as having involved a joint team of Zambia’s security wings.
We have learned, with profound shock and sadness, that our relatives are among individuals being referred to as suspected members of a “militia.” We categorically reject this characterization. It is false, misleading and gravely prejudicial. We are deeply concerned that such a narrative risks condemning them in the court of public opinion before they have been afforded due process of law.
Our relatives disappeared from their respective locations on the night of 14 August 2026. We have since established that they are being held by the authorities. They have now remained in custody for several days without being formally charged and brought before a court. We are gravely concerned about the legality of their continued detention and call upon the relevant authorities to respect all constitutional and legal safeguards governing arrest and detention in Zambia.
During the period they have been held in custody, our relatives have also been denied effective access to legal counsel. This is deeply troubling. They are entitled to the protection of the law, including access to legal representation and the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty before a competent court of law.
We wish to state unequivocally that the men being held and publicly associated with allegations of being members of a militia are responsible family men who, to the best of our knowledge, have no criminal record. On the contrary, they have dedicated their professional lives to serving this country with honour, dignity and professionalism.
It is particularly disturbing that individuals whose professional backgrounds and services are known to persons within or close to government circles could now be characterized as members of a militia. Some of these individuals have previously provided professional services to persons associated with the presidency, just as they have provided professional services to Mr. Mundubile. Their professional association with any individual should not, in itself, be construed as evidence of criminal conduct.
We do not intend to litigate this matter through the media or engage in a trial by public opinion. If the State believes that our relatives have committed any offence, the proper course is to charge them in accordance with the law, bring them promptly before a competent court and present whatever evidence exists against them. They must then be afforded a full and fair opportunity to answer those allegations.
Having now been held for five days without charge, we demand that our relatives be treated equally before the law and that their constitutional and legal rights be respected. In particular, we call for their immediate and unrestricted access to legal counsel of their choice and for the authorities either to formally charge and bring them before a competent court without further delay or release them.
Our prayer and expectation are that our beloved relatives will be treated fairly, humanely and objectively, without political interference or prejudgment. Justice must be administered according to the law and evidence, free from political considerations and public speculation.
We remain committed to cooperating with all lawful processes and trust that the institutions entrusted with administering justice will uphold the Constitution, the rule of law and the fundamental rights of every person in their custody.
SIGNED
Mr. Patrick Musonda
Ms. Chansa Chewe
NOTE TO THE MEDIA:
For further questions, information or clarification please contact Mr. Musonda on +260 97 5180073.
ZO Habeas corpus simply translates”Show the body” meaning dull Mutotwe Kafwaya is still missing.
What resurrection
We thank God that Mr Kafwaya is alive,not the disturbing news we herd that He had been “shot at twice” and the later news that He had been “Shot twice” reported By Mr Mundubile and Mr Emmanuel Mwamba respectively. HH forward…