PeP accuses Nkombo of allegedly committing a criminal offence

Opposition Patriots for Economic Party Leader, Sean Tembo says local government and rural development Minister Garry Nkombo committed a criminal offence by forcing the woman and her children to consume locally brewed liquor kachasu against their will.

Mr. Tembo says according to section 231 of the penal code act, cap 87 of the laws of Zambia, which states that, any person who unlawfully, and with intent to injure or annoy another, causes any poison substance to be administered to, or taken by, any person, thereby endangers his life, or does him or her some grievous harm, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years. 

Mr. Tembo says that even if it was later established that the woman in question had committed a misdemeanor under the traditional beer act, cap 168 of the laws of Zambia, the children did not deserve to be part of the punishment. 

Mr. Tembo feels that Mr. Nkombo’s apology to the victim lacked sincerity.

He says it is for this reason that Mr. Nkombo needs to be held accountable for the criminal offences that he committed in this instance. 

The Opposition Leader says while the criminal charges are being pursued, he expects President Hakainde Hichilema to impose administrative sanctions against Garry Nkombo by either suspending him or entirely dropping him as minister of local government, until after the resolution of his impending criminal charges. 

On Wednesday local government and rural development minister Gary Nkombo apologized to the woman and children who he forced to take locally brewed illicit alcoholic brew called kachasu.