Nevers Mumba explains his recent trip to South Africa

Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) president Nevers Mumba has refuted accusations that he went to South Africa to seek asylum saying he was there to submit a written document to the Commonwealth to intervene on issues surrounding the Zambia political happenings.

Speaking when he addressed journalists at his residence in Lusaka today, Dr. Mumba explained that he travelled to South Africa to ensure that the international community got the 40 paged written documents of alleged human rights impunities that are currently characterising the Zambian government.

He alleged that currently, the Commonwealth was studying the document and the Secretary General would soon send an envoy to Zambia to investigate the concerns contained in the document.

The MMD president alleged that President Michael Sata has been abusing human rights through the use of the police and other security wings such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

He said his actions were not meant to fight the President but that he was doing his role of applying checks and balances adding that he holds nothing personal against Mr. Sata.

Dr. Mumba said the opposition will not rest until freedom of association and assembly prevailed in the country asserting that Zambians were allegedly under oppression through what he termed as abuse of the public order act.

He further said the opposition political parties will also prepare another 60 paged dossier that will be submitted to the African Union (AU) with another 80 paged document to be given to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) which will include names of government officials, civil society leaders and journalists whom he alleged were being used by government to harass the opposition.

The opposition leader also denied having been accompanied by former President Rupiah Banda saying Mr. Banda was in South Africa on personal business.

Other people that attended the press briefing were MMD acting chairperson for women affairs Fostina Sinyangwe, Zambia Direct Democracy Movement president Edwin Sakala, his deputy Charles Kafumbo and political analyst Dante Saunders.

Earlier this week, President Michael Sata said opposition leaders who reportedly went to South Africa to present a petition to the Commonwealth on the alleged human rights abuses in Zambia were in that country to seek criminal asylum.