What Has Hon. Mumbi Phiri Done to Deserve This, President Hakainde?
By Thandiwe Ketis Ngoma
Political persecution has become a hallmark of Zambia’s current governance, and Hon. Mumbi Phiri, former Patriotic Front (PF) Deputy Secretary-General, is one of its most visible victims. President Hakainde Hichilema, the question on the minds of many Zambians is simple: What has Mumbi Phiri done to you to warrant such relentless harassment and unjust treatment?
The First Case: Trumped-Up Charges and Prolonged Imprisonment
Hon. Mumbi Phiri was arrested and thrown into prison on trumped-up charges related to the death of Lawrence Banda in Kaoma, where she was accused of murder despite overwhelming evidence suggesting political motives behind her detention.
Mumbi Phiri was arrested and detained for months on trumped-up charges in connection with a case that had no substantial evidence to support her imprisonment. Eventually, the state declared a nolle prosequi, meaning no prosecution would follow, but only after she had endured the anguish of wrongful detention. The withdrawal of the charges was not an act of justice—it was a silent admission of the state’s failure to build a credible case against her.
One would expect this painful ordeal to be the end of her persecution, but instead, a fresh wave of injustice has been unleashed.
The Kawambwa Incident: Persecuting the Whistleblower
The latest episode involves yet another trumped-up charge of aggravated robbery. The context of this case is even more concerning:
During the Kawambwa by-election, Hon. Phiri confronted Green Economy Minister Mike Mposha, who was reportedly involved in illegally confiscating National Registration Cards (NRCs) and voters’ cards. Rather than investigating Mposha’s actions, the Zambia Police arrested and charged Phiri—the whistleblower—with aggravated robbery.
This reversal of justice epitomizes the political capture of law enforcement under President Hichilema’s administration. Instead of holding the powerful accountable, the Zambia Police have become a political tool for suppressing dissent and silencing opposition voices.
Why Mumbi Phiri?
President Hakainde, why has Hon. Mumbi Phiri been singled out for such persecution? What personal or political vendetta could justify turning the justice system into a weapon against her? Is her outspokenness and political prominence a threat to your administration’s narrative of governance?
Political Persecution or Justice?
The actions against Hon. Phiri speak loudly of a justice system compromised by political interests. Consider these points:
Trumped-Up Charges: The aggravated robbery charge is not only baseless but a clear attempt to intimidate and humiliate.
Selective Prosecution: Why is Minister Mike Mposha, who allegedly engaged in illegal activities during the by-election, not facing any investigation or charges?
Police as Political Tools: The arrest and detention of Hon. Phiri reflect a worrying trend where law enforcement is manipulated to protect ruling party elites while punishing their critics.
What Does This Mean for Zambia?
When law enforcement becomes a tool of oppression, democracy suffers. Political persecution undermines public trust in the justice system and erodes the rule of law. Zambia’s reputation as a democratic state is at risk, and the country is sliding into a dangerous space where dissent is criminalized.
President Hakainde, Your Legacy Is at Stake
You campaigned on a platform of justice, equality, and an end to political persecution. The treatment of Mumbi Phiri contradicts every one of these promises. Will you allow this injustice to define your presidency?
Hon. Mumbi Phiri deserves justice, not persecution. The charges against her must be dropped, and those who engage in illegal activities—regardless of their political affiliations—must be held accountable.
Conclusion
Political power is fleeting, but the principles of justice and fairness endure. President Hakainde, it is not too late to correct this path. End the persecution of Mumbi Phiri, restore integrity to the Zambia Police, and demonstrate that no one is above the law—not even members of your own government.
The people of Zambia are watching. The world is watching. Will justice prevail, or will political vengeance continue to rule the day?
Please don’t drag an innocent man HH into yowa schyopedity. Was HH there was Mumbi Phiri and her gang tazered the victim and stole from him? Have manners and a sense of decency. This matter is before the courts of law and you are here vomiting nonsense??? You will be locked up together with Mumbi Phiri so that you start removing bed bugs and lice from each other. Let the courts decide. Respect the due process of law and keep quiet until the courts have decided.
It’s beggar belief Zambia has people like”no more kabwalala leaders”! How clueless can UPND be?
She is a psychopathy.
On the contrary, it is you Ketis Ngoma who is advocating for a Zambia with no regards to the rule of law. You should sometimes pause and interrogate your conscience before your slippery fingers touch the key board. You are aware that Mumbi Phiri by nature enjoys confusion and attention. What makes this case different? Let her go through the legal procedure like anyone else, so that by the time it is concluded she will think twice before engaging in wrong doing. In all this I beg that you leave HH out of it, the gentleman was not even in Kawambwa for that matter.
Hakainde’s Zambia
Vyakulola vye
Thandiwe Ngoma should be some useless idiot out there.
She possibly doesn’t know Mumbi Phiri very well. I just hope and wish her scorched black beans can rot in jail. When I look at how innocent Lawrence Banda lost his life. She’s also implicated the life and family of Shebby Chilekwa. Thandiwe Ngoma should possibly go and see how the family of Lawrence Banda has lived from the day he died. Mumbi Phiri has used foolish people to advance her evil plans. She’s abused her powers to detrimental effect on her perceived enemies. She once threatened Zambia Police that she was willing to provide security to president Lungu if ZP was reluctant to do so. We don’t need Mafia type of leadership in this country. Let that woman account for for her stupidity in Kawambwa. From allegations of pre-marked ballots to unleashing cadres on innocent people, she should detail how everything unfolded. She was better off in prison than putting other people’s lives in jeopardy when she came out.
Foolish woman
Why does this foolish person blame HH? There is a law and it must be upheld. If Mumbi behaves like a thug ofcourse the law will visit her.
Emmanuel Mwamba also with this kama artificial whore called Thandiwe Ngoma! The idyots are fixated at HH for everything!
Mumbi Phiri is legally in custody of the state for an unbailable offence and will be tried in a public court.
Why can’t you wait until such a time that she appears before a competent court of law. You will be the ones accusing of people of contempt for discussion matters that are before courts of law.
So what is the point of discussing this now before its determination?
That grandmother is pron to lawlessness and surely needs to face the law when she is in breach of it. Nobody is above the law, not even Mumbi. She has this itchy thing which leads her to all these offences.
It would be easier for her to pay small boys to sit on it and calm her down whenever she needs quick relief. Otherwise, she will remain in the limelight for all the wrong reasons.