Unheard of taboo over summoning of grieving Luo

By Daily Revelation Editor

Two days ago, the people of Zambia woke up to a cultural shock; a political cultural shock never experienced since the birth of this country. As if it were a dream, many people including ourselves thought it was the usual social media hullabaloo clothed in social stunts and falsity. Sooner than later, we realised the whole thing was real. It was real and very much in form! The Zambian government had summoned a mother for questioning while grieving the loss of her beloved daughter. Professor Nkandu Luo was made to report to the police station with tears flowing from her eyes as she mourned her daughter. This was unheard of! Unprecedented political culture! A societal taboo, never happened since independence.

The action by our men and women in uniform to commit such taboos raised profound questions about governmental conduct, human rights, and societal empathy. Such an action is a stark disregard to the basic principles of human empathy, compassion, and fosters a climate of mistrust and fear among citizens, especially those already vulnerable due to personal tragedy.

Although, in a statement yesterday issued by police assistant public relations Godfrey Chilabi stating that the interview did not take place as Nkandu Luo had a bereavement, further claiming and that the summon was issued last week in consultation with Nkandu Luo’s lawyers, many people including ourselves do not feel this shelve-off the sense of lack of compassion and empathy on the part of the police and the government at large. We are made to believe that they knew that Luo had lost her daughter, and could have immediately called off the summon. But for them to allow Nkandu Luo to report to the police station amid sobbing does not exonerate their lack of empathy. 

We say this because on a human level, summoning a mother in mourning is not just uncultured, it is a cultural taboo, for it portrays insensitivity that undermines the dignity of victims and family of not only the Nkandu Luo, but many Zambians who might one day fall victim of such diabolic acts. It speaks to the fact that our government prioritises bureaucratic procedures over individual or family grief, potentially becoming a source of additional trauma for people already grappling with loss of their beloved ones. This act must never be supported by any sane and upright-minded Zambian, let alone government bureaucrats, or even UPND cadres – because such despicable conducts by the police diminish societal empathy and reflect poorly on the government’s commitment to respecting personal and human rights.

From a legal and ethical standpoint, the justification for summoning someone in such circumstances must be transparent and grounded in law. Public trust in law enforcement depends on clear, fair, and compassionate conduct, especially in sensitive cases such as Luo’s.

Politically, such actions have negative repercussions by damaging the government’s reputation domestically and internationally. Already, the majority of Zambians now perceive such summoning as an abuse of power and/or an attempt to intimidate Nkandu Luo and her family – a repercussion which has already ignited public outcry – calling for greater accountability and reform.

And morally, the action is questionable and problematic. While details surrounding the specific reasons for the summons are absent, the timing and context raise serious moral, ethical and procedural concerns. Losing a child is an unimaginable tragedy, and the added stress of the police summons during such a period is deeply troubling. It is important that the police, in their dealings with individuals, acknowledge and respect the profound emotional impact of such a loss. A prompt, sensitive, and empathetic approach is essential, particularly in cases that involve grieving.

This incident underscores the need for clear guidelines regarding law enforcement officers’ interactions with individuals. Police and the government at large must prioritise the well-being of those already burdened by many challenges including high cost of living, and those undergoing immense grief due to loss of their beloved ones – and ensure that necessary procedures do not exacerbate the pain of bereavement. This is not just a legal matter; it is a moral and humanitarian issue! This incident underscores the importance of safeguarding the rights and emotional well-being of everyone living in this country, especially during times of profound personal and family loss, and calls for a re-evaluation of protocols to prevent such distressing occurrences in the near future.