Bishop Trevor Mwamba Missing in Zambia
…Family Appeals for Return, President Masisi approached
LUSAKA, August 16 — Staff Reporter
Zambia’s fragile democracy has been jolted by the sudden disappearance of Retired Anglican Bishop Trevor Mwamba, President of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) and a key member of the Brian Mundubile led Tonse Pamodzi Alliance.
His wife, Ambassador Mmasekgoa Masire Mwamba, has issued a desperate appeal for his safe return, warning that the country’s reputation as the “last bastion of democracy and peace” is now in peril.
She is the former Ambassador of Botswana to the Federal Republic of Germany and Brussels.
The crisis unfolded on 14 August, just two days after Zambia’s acrimonious presidential and parliamentary elections, marred by sporadic violence.
Bishop Mwamba had accompanied leading opposition leader hon. Brian Mundubile to a high level meeting with international election observers from SADC, EU, AU, COMESA, the Great Lakes Region, and the United Nations.
Shortly after, Bishop Mwamba, along with Patrick Mwansa, lawyer George Chisanga, Mutotwe Kafwaya, a former lawmaker, and Mundubile’s bodyguard identified only as Banda, vanished following a reported attack on Mundubile by unknown assailants.
In a letter addressed to former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who heads the Great Lakes Region Observer Mission, Ambassador Mwamba wrote: “As a family we are profoundly troubled by this development without any news from Zambia.
Bishop Mwamba is a man of peace and gentleness who has devoted his entire life to preaching love and reconciliation.”
Mrs Mwamba added: “We appeal to the authorities for his immediate and unconditional return along with the return of all others that could be wrongfully detained.”
Source: Ambassador Mmasegoa Masire Mwamba.