By Chinoyi Chipulu
Government has discharged former Defence minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba from custody on medical grounds.
And Tonse Alliance spokesperson Sean Tembo expressed happiness on the release of Mwamba but stressed that the release has not come a little too late.
Meanwhile, Mwamba’s lawyer Charles Changano said his client’s condition was not very good hence he would be evacuated on medical grounds.
Mwamba, popularly known as GBM has been discharged alongside 11 other convicts on account that they had terminal illnesses.
Chief government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa and Home Affairs minister Jack Mwiimbu announced this development at separate press briefings.
Section 77(1) of the Zambia Correctional Service Act No. 37 of 2021 provided that the Commissioner-General may, with the approval of the minister, order the discharge from a prison or correctional centre of a terminally ill inmate on the recommendation of a health practitioner.
Mwimbu said the release of Mwamba followed the due legal process.
“On February 28, this year, Mr Mwamba petitioned President Hakainde Hichilema, requesting the exercise of the prerogative of mercy,” he said.
Mwiimbu said the Head of State in a show of compassion and in accordance with procedure, referred the matter to his Ministry which held the legal mandate to discharge terminally ill inmates.
“After considering all the circumstances surrounding Mr Mwamba’s health, the recommendations of the medical board assigned to assess his condition and his decision to withdraw his appeal, grounds were established for his release from prison,” he said.
But Tembo said that the alliance had been advocating for the release of GBM for close to a year, with no positive response from the government.
He said a person with cancer could survive when cancer was treated early but could not be cured once it reached an advanced stage.
“Tonse Alliance is happy that GBM has been released. We therefore, hope that this release has not come a little too late. We are hopeful that the government will proceed to facilitate the movement of GBM and pay his bills in the same manner they do with those who support the government,” he said.
Tembo said there should be no segregation in this case as Mwamba was incarcerated hence, his financial capacity may not be in good shape.
Meanwhile, Changano said Mwamba was not very fine and he would be evacuated.
“Yes, I can confirm that he has been discharged and the way forward is evacuation on medical grounds. We are still discussing on when he would be evacuated. His condition is not very good, he is sick,” said Changano.
