UPND lawmaker Jack Mwiimbu says Government should not be expected to publicly explain the details of security operations, as questions continue over the circumstances in which former Petauke MP Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda was apprehended and brought back to Zambia from Mozambique.
Speaking in Parliament, Mwiimbu criticised opposition parties, some churches and civil society organisations for demanding answers about how individuals wanted by law enforcement are apprehended.
He said, “Surely you want law enforcement agencies to start reporting to you, telling you how they conduct investigations and how they apprehend individuals.”
Mwiimbu then pointed to the United States, saying, “You saw how the Americans arrested the president of Venezuela. Did the people of America ask how the president was arrested? They didn’t.” He argued that there was “no responsible government” that could be expected to publicly disclose details of security operations.
Mwiimbu also accused sections of the opposition and civil society of remaining silent when President Hichilema is insulted or threatened, while condemning law enforcement agencies when suspects are arrested.
On calls for political dialogue and reconciliation, he said Hichilema had never rejected dialogue but warned, “If you want dialogue, come with clean hands.”