Onus Lies With Police To Prove Their Innocence With Chilekwa torture Case

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has said that it does not have the authority to submit a statement on behalf of the police on any suspect's allegations of torture.

Mudford Mwandenga, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, stated that the onus of resolving claims of torture against a suspect lies firmly on the Police.

Mr. Mwandenga said torture constitutes gross human rights violation and is a serious crime which must not be trivialized.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mwandenga expressed sadness that the Commission was unable to properly bring claims of torture against Mr. Chilekwa because the police service was unhelpful.

Even though the Commission reported visiting Chilekwa, who is now facing murder charges, HRC Mudford Mwandenga stated that the Commission is unable to establish whether or not Sheeby Chilekwa, former President Edgar Lungu's hairdresser, was tortured while in police prison.

Mr Mwandenga noted that the Commission was unable to engage the suspect seriously because he was confronted with the presence of a Police officer.

He further revealed that the Commission's efforts to conduct adequate investigations were thwarted because the police officers were uncooperative.