NGOCC happy that court has dismissed Mutinta M’membe’s contempt charge

Mutinta M’membe

The Non-governmental Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) is elated with the dismissing of the Contempt Charges against Mutinta M’membe by Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga in a case in which she was accused of tearing a search warrant when investigative wings raided her home in February, 2017.

NGOCC Chairperson Sarah Longwe in a statement says the failure by the complainant Inspector Japhet Mulenga to appear before court and the general lack of adherence to prosecution procedures in the whole matter is an indication that the charges were frivolous, unsubstantiated and a mere ploy to intimidate her.

Ms Longwe says the Contempt Charge against Mrs. M’membe highlights how women get victimized when they challenge a “system”.

She says the charges against Mrs. M’membe were an abuse of State Machinery as they were brought against her to cover up on the Police actions of roughing her up, tearing her clothes, detaining her and denying her a Police Bond for no reason.

She states that this led to her spending two nights in custody when she questioned the police for searching her home without giving her time to check out the legal documentation allowing them to do so.

The NGOCC Chairperson has commended Mrs. M’membe for her courage and determination by standing up and defending her Constitutional Rights to be informed about what the investigative wings wanted when they invaded her home.

Ms Longwe says the courage demonstrated by Mrs. M’membe should work to motivate many other women who may be facing similar situations to stand up for their rights and let the law take its course in a due process manner.