Zambia: Human Rights Activist Changala Released On Nolle

The police have continued its cat and mouse approach to dealing with politically motivated arrests by entering into Nolle Prosequis with civil rights activist Brebner Changala conditionally set free.

Changala and his sister Agness Kawandami have spent about five days in police custody on a charge of drug trafficking after the Drug Enforcement Commission officers claimed to have found ecstasy - a sex drive enhancing substance. But the suspects, whose arrest is a form of persecution of Changala for his radical political statements against the ruling Patriotic Front government, insisted that what was found in their possession was Vermox a de-worming substance for children.

The suspects who were due in court on Thursday were surprisingly rushed to court where the Director of Public Prosecutions entered a Nolle Prosequi. Changala has been very critical of the Patriotic Front government and openly demanded that a medical board be constituted to ascertain the medical suitability of President Sata to hold the highest office in the land.

Changala has also taken on the Anti Corruption Commission on the possible investigation of DPP Mutembo Nchito and Post Newspaper owner Fred M'membe both close associate to President Sata and believed to be wielding too much power outside government structures.

(2013-08-21/ALLAFRICA)