NRPUP OFFICIAL AND 42 OTHERS SEEK COURT REDRESS OVER ALLEGED DETENTION AND MISTREATMENT
By Nelson Zulu
Opposition National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity-NRPUP- official Joseph Kaseya and 42 others have sued Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha and the Officer-in-Charge of Chelston Police Station, seeking legal redress over their alleged arrest, detention and mistreatment following the 2026 General Election.
According to court documents, Mr. Kaseya, who was an Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ- accredited election monitor, alleges that he was intercepted by armed men dressed in military attire on August 14 while returning from election monitoring duties at the Olympic Africa Totaling Centre in Lusaka.
Mr. Kaseya claims that he was ordered at gunpoint to lie on the ground and was subsequently beaten, despite identifying himself as an accredited election monitor.
He further alleges that he was searched, his mobile phone confiscated and forced to contact other people while questioning him about a panga and firearm they claimed to have recovered.
Mr. Kaseya says he denied any knowledge of the items but was allegedly subjected to further assault, and that K400 found in his possession was taken and has not been recovered.
The court documents state that Mr. Kaseya was later taken to Chelston Police Station together with 42 other people, including other election monitors who were allegedly picked up from different locations and detained without charge.
Mr. Kaseya further claims that he was restrained with cable ties and denied access to both his family and legal counsel.
The applicants are now seeking the court’s intervention over what they describe as unlawful detention, assault and other alleged violations arising from their arrest and continued detention.
PHOENIX NEWS