Maravi

Inonge calls for Mututwa’s release

Inonge calls for Mututwa’s release
By George Chellah
Mon 24 Jan. 2011, 04:02 CAT

INONGE Wina has called for the release of 92-year-old treason-accused Maxwell Mututwa. And Wina says if the state does not want to release Mututwa, they should at least think of putting him under house arrest at his house considering his advanced age and health.

Wina, who is a family member made the request in an interview on Saturday after she visited Mututwa, a former Ngambela prime minister of Western Province, at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

“I came to UTH to see the old man Mr Maxwell Mututwa who has been admitted. He seems to be in strong spirits in spite of the pain he is going through,” Wina said.

“He has a very nasty combination of bp and diabetes, and for an old man at the age of 92, I am surprised to see that he is keeping strong.”

Wina said she just went to assure Mututwa as a family member that they are concerned about his health.

“But now that he is responding to medication well, it is satisfying. I hope he will recover from the bp, particularly considering the conditions he has found himself into and that he will be out of hospital soon. The conditions that a man of his age should have found himself into is a bit unfortunate,” Wina said.

“I think the family would want him to be released or if for whatever reason they don’t want him to be released, they should at least consider to put him under house arrest at his house considering his advanced age and health because subjecting a man of his age and the health he is in to prison, is dangerous”.

Mututwa and 22 others were on Wednesday charged with treason for allegedly preparing to procure Barotse State by force.

It is alleged that the 23 Zambian citizens from Lusaka, Senanga and Mongu districts, acting jointly with others unknown, endeavoured or prepared to procure by force the setting up of the Barotse State in Western Province which forms part of Zambia or secession of Western Province of the Republic of Zambia, an independent state, otherwise than by law established.

The 23 appeared for mention before principal resident magistrate Sharon Newa and were remanded in custody.

Magistrate Newa said the 23 would continue to appear for mention until the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) issues instructions to commit the matter to the High Court.

The accused are scheduled to appear for mention on February 2.

Labels: BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT, INONGE WINA

posted by MrK @ 12:21 PM