Police refute denying Zambia's opposition leader medical attention

The police in Zambia on Sunday refuted reports that it had denied the country's leading opposition leader medical attention while in detention.

Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), was detained last week and charged with treason.

Charles Kakoma, the party's spokesperson said the opposition leader's health was deteriorating and he has not been feeling well from the time he was detained due to the brutal attack and inhuman gassing when the police raided his home.

The party has since demanded that the opposition leader should be subjected to rigorous medical tests and treatment by independent doctors.

But police spokesperson Esther Mwaata-Katongo dispelled the claims that the opposition leader's health was deteriorating and that he has been denied medical attention.

She said from the time the opposition leader was detained, the police have been allowing his personal doctor to visit him and conduct routine medical checkups on him.

She wondered why the police could deny the opposition leader medical attention when he was just a suspect when people who have been convicted were usually accorded their rights to medical attention.

"As police, we will not take such unjustified statements lightly because they are aimed at disturbing the security of the nation," she said in a statement. Endit