HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP URGES PRESIDENT HICHILEMA TO PARDON AILING POLITICIAN CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI
The Centre for Protection of Human Rights and Advancement of Democracy (CePHRAD) has appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to exercise his prerogative of mercy on incarcerated politician Chishimba Kambwili, on the condition that he serves as an ambassador for ethnic unity across Zambia.
In a statement released by its Executive Director, Christopher Manyepa, CePHRAD said the call is rooted in the belief that the nation’s peace and unity depend heavily on political leaders embracing ethnic diversity.
“Mr. Kambwili is a well-known politician with chronic conditions of high blood pressure and diabetes, and reports indicate that his health continues to deteriorate. Having served part of his sentence, he deserves pardoning and should be given the opportunity to contribute towards the protection of human rights and the promotion of democratic governance as a changed person,” Manyepa stated.
CePHRAD argues that releasing the former minister would be a significant step toward “political healing” in the country. The organisation further proposed that Mr. Kambwili be tasked with leading a nationwide campaign to foster ethnic harmony under the auspices of CePHRAD.
“As an NGO premised on the protection of human rights and promotion of democracy, we humbly appeal to the Head of State to exercise his leniency on the ailing politician and entrust him with the responsibility of uniting Zambia,” the statement read.
Mr. Kambwili, a long-serving political figure, has been behind bars following his conviction, but human rights advocates now hope his release could mark a new chapter in reconciliation efforts.
Fake political institutions pretending to human rights activists. Why should Kambwili be asking HH to be pardoned? He is a criminal and the prisons have medical facilities that are there to treat inmates. This Kambwili has received too many human rights privileges from this administration. When he goes insulting others non of these so called NGOs say anything. How come he only become sick when it’s time for justice?
Pardoning Honorable Chishimba Kambwili, who is in prison over Tonga Hate Speech , by the President is welcome and it will be appropriate and appreciated.
But making it conditional on him being an Ambassador for Ethnic Harmony is completely off.
Achieving Ethnic Harmony depends on ending Tribally inclined Appointments, Ending Party Successions in which some people become Party Presidents by virtual of Tribe, Ending Stealthy Bills meant to entrench Tribal Hegemony, Putting an end to the ” It’s our Time Philosophy” moving in all sectors of Zambia..
It’s about stopping the Hypocrisy which abounds in some people who only seeTribalism elsewhere when they are diehard Tribalists.. Some messages in their rallies tell it all.
You breath and live Tribalism, but only see it in other people. Whoever shows some potential to provide a challenge to the status quo is labeled a Tribalist!
It’s about removing the LOG in known Tribalists , and not eternally imprisoning a SPECK in Honorable Kambwili.
Honorable Chishimba Kambwili is a politician, and with God’s Grace he can contribute to our National Discourse, and even challenge for the Presidency..He shouldn’t be a perpetual Prisoner through some fake Ambassadorial role for Ethnic Harmony…
Let self Confessed instigator and Promoter of Tribal Hate Speech, Hon Cornelius Mweetwa or Douglas Siakalima, of the “Luapula Poverty of the Mind Fame” assume the Role.
Kambwili is like you, and should continue residing in Jail he serves. He is a tribalist!! If you have evidence against Hon Mweetwa, you’re welcome to take it to Court
I thought you only a hardcore tribalist but you are a lunatic as well. Hatred will take you to an early grave.Open a case for those you have mentioned since you have evidence that can stand in court of law.
Mulemga August 13, 2025 At 8:37 pm
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As I said earlier in the day. This man is a candidate for psychiatric case. The NGO is clearly a hob nob grouping and maybe this is why the amendment is critical at this time
This is not a Human Rights group but a rich people’s rights group. How long does it take them to recognise poor prisoners in much more adverse conditions than Kambwili?. If you are advocationg for better health treatment then do it for all prisoners not just particular prisoners with high social standing only.
Well said! It most definitely a rich people’s rights group. But worst – rich people who became rich through questionable and illegal means on top of that (that’s why most of them are in prison).
The poor prisoner serving lengthy sentences for simple things like stealing a chicken to feed his family is never given special treatment and they don’t advocate on his behalf, or for reasonable sentencing policies. Imagine these rich people who stole Zambia’s wealth serve less time in prison than a chicken thief.
Yes.and those who are responsible for the President must always ensure that please to pardon certain criminals do not reach the President.We now know they are taking advantage of HH’s kind nature to set ailing criminals free.
This strategy can begin to present HH as weak to many Zambians
Geroge Orwell was right: “some animals are more equal than others.” I would also argue for all other poor and unnamed prisoners who are at death’s door to be pardoned by the president. I now see why one Comedian asked the question: “How important do you have to be, to be considered ‘assassinated, instead of murdered.”‘ Besides, is it only me or others have noticed as well that most, if not all convicted politicians in Zambia, never serve a full prison sentence: they quickly get so gravely ill soon after imprisonment that they get an early release. Mr President, if you will look into the case of Honourable Kambwili, please also think about those nameless prisoners from kuku or John Howard compounds who may be dying of incurable illnesses in prison right now. On the other hand Mr president, if you do, don’t you think that the accusations that you intefer with the work of the Judiciary may appear justified? The jury has to be out on this one.
Some of these so called NGOs are led by dull individuals who easily forget about the pain the so called patients inflict on innocent people once they have that chance of being on top. Kambwili himself had the chance exonerate himself after he asked for forgiveness in 2019, but only to start the same insults again disregarding what he himself had earlier pursued, the way of reconciliation. Some of these people are rightly in those places and if unity is to be reaction it’s through or by using other people or maybe his children and not himself because his mind is clogged already with hate for others.
As soon as CK is pardoned and I hope not. CK will find himself attending the delayed burial of ECL in South Africa just like GBM did recently. The man was dying and pleading for mercy but as soon as he was let go. GBM was in South Africa very quickly to attend the funeral. I asked myself how did this man manage to do that..?
If ever Pres. HH did finally pardon CK, then he might as well pardon a whole lot of poor prisoners languishing in prisons for stealing a chicken valued at K150.
Politicians need to start realizing that they assume privileged positions in govt to work for the people and not their pockets. CK brought this upon himself. He is very much to blame. A 5 month sentence is not even enough.
Is he the only sick prisoner? Are you also going to advocate for pardoning of the rest of ill prisoners?
How much did kambwili pay you to talk on his behalf. Why dont you speak up for the other prisoners who are in worse health crisis than kambwili if you were genuine.