By Isaac Zulu
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) says opposition leaders Brian Mundubile, Makebi Zulu and the others must be brought before a competent court without undue delay.
In a statement yesterday, HRC chairperson Dr Pamela Sambo said the commission was closely monitoring the case of Mundubile and the 17 others who have been formally charged with treason, saying they should be brought before court without undue delay so that the matter can proceed strictly in accordance with the provisions of the law.
The Commission was further concerned with the continued detention of Tonse alliance deputy secretary general Kennedy Kamba two weeks after he was granted bail, and that he had not appeared before court.
She stated that police must immediately comply.
And Sambo said the availability or capacity of police holding cells could not provide lawful justification for the prolonged detention of people and delays to bring them before court.
She the police and the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) to ensure prompt due process in all cases of prolonged detention, particularly for persons who were arrested in connection with the just ended elections.
Sambo stated that Article 13 of the constitution protected the rights to personal liberty and required that detained persons must be brought before court without undue delay.
She stated that Article 18 guaranteed safeguards for persons charged with criminal offences, including the right to a fair hearing within reasonable time before an independent and impartial court.
Sambo also stated that HRC had monitored the case of Aphonso Daka and the 42 others who remained in custody following their arrests on August 14 in connection with the commotion in Roma.
