Zambia human rights body releases report on soldier's death inside police cells

Zambia's human rights body on Tuesday released findings of its report on the death of a soldier inside police cells last month.

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) launched independent investigations into the death of Flight Sergeant Mark Choongwa who died after being brutally beaten at Woodlands Police Station in the country's capital Lusaka, after he was detained on a traffic offence last month.

The human rights body launched investigations after conflicting reports on the cause of his death, with police officers claiming he was assaulted by his fellow inmates while his family accused the police of killing him.

Mudford Mwandenga, chairperson of the human right's body said the investigations have revealed that the police officers used excessive force and unlawfully detained the soldier.

He said in a statement that investigations revealed different versions by different witnesses interviewed and has since recommended the opening of an inquest into the matter which would help identify who should be charged with his murder.

The human rights body further said evidence adduced by all witnesses showed that the decision to detain the soldier was arbitrary and called on the police command to take action against excessive use of force and pre-trial detention.

The government, through its defense wings, also launched investigations into the matter although the results have not yet been published. Endit