The LRF Newsletter

Justin Chishala, 28, allegedly said he was on 14th July this year arrested together with his friend Katongo Kampamba by a constable Kachengo of Uweka Police Post.

Chishala further said he was taken to Katwishi Police Post while his friend was taken to Uweka Police Post. After about thirty minutes, Chishala was moved to Uweka Police Post where he joined Kampamba.

While at this post Chishala was tortured using a shot baton, and kicked in his ribs.

“This police officer hit me with a baton on my legs and afterwards he wore his safety boot and started kicking me in the ribs.

Upon seeing that I was badly beaten he then told my sister who had come to visit me and my friend to take me to the cell,” said Chishala.

Chishala’s sister, Evite said when she went to the police post she was told that her brother was alleged to have stolen a gun and 50 million kwacha from one of the shops in Kamwala.

“The police officer told me that my brother was being subjected to this kind of torture because they wanted to make him reveal were he had taken the alleged items. But when I told him that the way he had beaten my brother was not good, he decided to take him to clinic”, said Evite.

Contrary to the report that constable Kachengo gave the medical officer, the medical statement dated 24th July 2000 showed that the thoracic cavity had the soft tissues injured and most of his body tissues.

The police officer did not open a docket for Chishala or his friend because it is believed that there was no merit in the case.

Chawama paralegal officer manning the advice centre has advised his consultants to sue so that they can be compensated.

According to Mwale no police officer is supposed to torture a victim or suspect.

He said the policeman had committed a serious offence.

Earlier police spokesperson, Lemmy Kajoba had advised the Foundation to sue any police officer who is found in this act of torture.

Kajoba was quoted as saying that the law does not allow any person to torture other person and that police officers should not take the law in their own hands but should instead follow the normal procedure.