Mumbi Phiri vows to continue political fight after release
DESPITE spending 14 days in police cells on charges of a non bailable offence and having described the experience as harsh, former PF deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri has vowed to remain vocal and active in politics, describing herself as a big machine that is capable of intimidating government.
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Phiri, who had been charged with aggravated robbery was released after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri dropped the charges due to lack of evidence.
However, the outspoken politician has maintained that her detention was politically motivated and intended to silence her.
Appearing on Hot FM this morning, Phiri described her ordeal as dehumanising and an act of abuse of human rights.
The Tonse Alliance opposition member claimed that she was kept in a cage for 14 days straight without being given an opportunity to take a bath.
“I slept in a cage on the floor it was open. I slept without bathing for 14 days. I was treated like an animal. I have never been on the other side of the law. I’m a big machine they can’t match me, all of them put together can’t match me.”
“I will never stay away from politics because it’s a calling for me. Why should I take a back seat. It’s aluta continua and they better be ready. I’m a hot cake, everybody wants to see who is this Mumbi Phiri. God wants me to use my voice to liberate the people of Zambia,” said Phiri.
She explained that the police in Kawambwa where she was detained treated her like an animal where her right to basic needs was violated.
Phiri criticised government and the justice system for what she called wrongful detention.
Phiri also accused the man behind her release of playing to the gallery at the presence of the UN rapporteur currently in the country monitoring the right to freedom of expression and opinion.
The opposition critic further accused Green Economy minister Mike Mposha and the government at large of being behind the committed crime.
“If anything the person who was supposed to be arrested was Mike Mposha. Government has failed, this is a government of failures,” she complained.
Meanwhile, Phiri announced plans to sue the State for harassing her, stating that she will seek compensation for the emotional and physical toll of her detention.
“This time, I’m suing the State. I want to be compensated. Because mine was wrongful detention. I’m starting the proceedings on Monday. I’m very upset with UPND. I’m taking them to court,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission chairperson Pamela Sambo has refuted Phiri’s claims of mistreatment, stating that its officers visited her during her detention and confirmed that she had access to basic rights such as food and water.
“From the time she was incarcerated in Kawambwa our Mansa office was on the ground. And from the reports we have, there was no record of any ill treatment as she was incarcerated. All her basic rights were met,” she added.
Sambo however stated that if there were any human rights violations, then an official complaint should be sent to them so that the commission launches investigations.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, January 25, 2025
It’s a pity she sees herself as a hero. As a law abiding citizen I see things differently. No one has stopped her from doing politics. However she’s expected to practise her politics within the prescribed of the law. If continues take the law in her hands she might not be so lucky the next time. As a fact she was lucky the first time in Mongu to get a Nolle. Had she been charged with conspiracy to murder instead of murder she would be in prison now. While she was given a nolle on murder, the nolle does not apply to the charge of murder. She could still be charged with conspiracy to murder which is a different charge. Even in Kawambwa, what she got herself into was not politics but criminality. Mumbi doesn’t represent ECZ and has no authority conducting inspections and neither does she represent police carrying the teasers. If she’s not law abiding as has demonstrated she’s going to go in and no one is going to step. She has to remember that she spent over 400 days in remand prison not because any one hates her but her overall conduct during and after the crime. It’s all in your court.
Mama Mumbi, you will be given medals after 2026, and the new president will make sure you are heavily compensated for the illegal double detention you have been subjected to.
Stay string, and continue to fight for what is right!
Vote wisely in 2026.
Which new president ba Indigo? Given Lubinda or the zero vote maniac Sean Tembo?
I hope this woman truly knows what she is fighting for. Otherwise she is just messing her own life up for the ECL gang that may never be there for her in her darkest hour. My fear for her is that she has mistaken playing to the gallery for heroism.
Mama, yes do your politics responsibly and be checking your people or else you fall in the trap again and gain a heart trick which may be difficult to find relief.Thank God for the immediate past charge, the learned Lawyer the DPP had a different vision which provided you some big relief.Your actions always worry the people who love you more especially your children and family members and friends as well as some good country men and women, be aware that they will end up saying no to a no changing mama who falls prey to political drama.We are watching but we keep on praying for you to change for better we shall only live once,so let us keep ourselves well in the space of life God has given us.Amen
Truth be told the behaviour of this mama is quite unbecoming and very bad to a woman of her nature, married with children has been a leader as MP for munali constituency and deputy secretary general of her disturbed party the PF for sometime could at least be knowledgeable enough of certain things unless othereise.
Now for the case at hand I might be wrong but if not this case if she continues with the way she is behaving, she risks being apprehended again and this time it won’t be good for her. What i think, just assuming why this case was discontinued by the government through the office of the DPP may be; just my opinion but I am not very sure. The DPP didn’t want to bother that Chief at the epicenter where these PF thugs went to report the matter. If you remember well when it happened PF and it’s associates went to report to that Chief i have just forgotten his name and from what i read, the Chief instructed his kapaso, some of his indunas or trustees and some PF thugs to go and search that lodge where the UPND team was accomodated (instead of reporting to the POLICE) and of course apprehend the suspects. That was their motive and wish. Lubinda also hinted to say, Mumbi Phiri could be charged for a non bondable offence of agrivated robery when him Lubinda and his associates went to report to that Catholic priest just there in KAWAMBWA (also instead of reporting to the POLICE) if you followed the case or reports properly. So what i am trying to say, in short is that, if indeed this case had continued or taken to Court, then that Chief, his retainer (kapaso) and ndunas would have been key witnesses and to have our royal highness sweat to or from those hash cross examinations in court, like former Minister of Lands Jean Kapata was sweating on the case of Mukula is somehow very shameful and embarassing no wonder Tasila Lungu withdrew and I don’t know how far that case has gone it was very entertaining so to say but the least ) would, to some extent been very embarrassing but or hence using wisdom and in a diplomatic way to not proceed with the case otherwise this could be one way of dropping this case but from the way this woman is trying to portray the picture by being somehow like a clever fool and not taming her tongue, she will end up being brought down to levels where she will for once regreat her actions. She should watch herself properly because her steps if not checked will take her to hell. She us just too talkative. Aikona Man.
Ba Mumbai Phiri,
Mayo, icibemba,chisosa ati, UMWEO WA MUNTU, WABA MU KUTWI, Simply meaning, you can only live longer on Earth,if you listen & pay attention to the wise counsel of the Elders,
And this is very appropriate for you,Mayo,, arrogance & stubborness is not synonymus with Wisdom..
In one’s life, there comes a time,to take a step back,and envoke your self inner conscious,, Asking yourself, who? & What am I? ,is this rough road I’m travelling on in my life journey,the best route to my destiny?
Definitely & surely, your life,Mumbi has been a rough & stormy one,, Especially your Political life, & journey,The many bad things done associated with you,& your name,,re even too many to itemize,,
The Mwaliteta, incarnation incident,was all done & planned by you.
Even the brutal murder of , Lawrence Banda, you bore witness,,to it, The soul & spirit of Lawrence Banda, when leaving his lifeless Body, to go to It’s Creator, you were there standing, , You saw & witness when Banda blood, that was spilled,was being, swallowed in to the Earth,
How can you surely have Peace, with all these bad omens on You?
Today, you can never claim to be a hero for Zambians,, wanting to liberate them,And yet under your PF, supreme rule & reign , when the worst atrocities, never seen in our nation,were being committed, you kept quiet,,
Now, that you have been saved & released,, please STAY HOME,,& REFLECT,,Twapapata, ,TUSHENIKO,
Who knows? Even as I am, writing, She could be on Her way to PETAUKE,
Continue chasing the wind, PF tayakabwele, muleichushya fye Madame.
Ba Mumbi, it’s not the police or that people hate you. The problem is you and the way you do your politics. You’re always the point or at the point of conflict. This is not a conflict, but poor calculation to cause chaos by you. Remember the issue of arresting Mwaliteta, the Mongu issue, the raid on HH (after her public utterances), and now the Kawambwa issue. How has she managed to find herself in these most controversial instances as a common denominator? This is too much of one person and I think her time in politics has long expired. It doesn’t matter what she thinks.
She’s a controversial person. The next time she’s quotes trouble deliberately as she seems determined to do so, the police & DPP should review her case with a very fine tooth comb. The police should make sure they put experienced officers and give assistance on the to charge her correctly so that she’s sent to jail for a very long time. Mumbi is no different from those pf boys who used to operate Intercity or kamogoti. We have had enough of Mumbi Phiri and to move on. Also the radio stations she intends to go for interviews the should has her about her involvement in the above cases and want to know why her. She should provide answers instead of using them for propaganda. The should tell that if she wishes to appear on the program they retain the right to call the other party to give their version. If she can’t commit to that refuse her welcome on radio and ask her to sue instead.