Zambia summons Amnesty International over Pilato
File: Pilato arrested
Emmanuel Mwamba
Zambia High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba has called for a meeting with Amnesty International and Pilato, the controversial musician who has fled the country.
Pilato fled to South Africa fearing for his life following threats by the Patriotic Front (PF) cadres who were after his life. The Cadres are after Pilato’s blood following his Koswe Mumpoto song.
Mwamba has since called for an urgent a meeting with Amnesty International and Pilato.
Why I called for a meeting with Amnesty International and Pilato
When Amnesty International Regional Office issued an alert urging the Zambian authorities to immediately take steps to guarantee right to Freedom of Expression for Fumba Chama, we invited the Organisations for a meeting.
Amnesty International Regional Office that covers Zambia and countries in Southern Africa is here in South Africa.
When I arrived in South Africa, Amnesty International paid a courtesy call on me to share insights about their human rights work in Zambia.
We have since met several times to share human rights matters relating to Zambia and the work of their organization.
During the preparation and subsequent visit of Amnesty International Secretary General Salim Shetty to meet and engage President Edgar Lungu our office and the regional office worked closely!
In relation to Fumba Chama (Pilato) who is here in South Africa, and he is a complainant we have invited him to attend the meeting to be present when we have this engagement.
However he is free to attend or not.
I have noted Pilato’s write up but will however not respond as we are preoccupied with the serious matters he raised.
We will inform you hopefully jointly on the outcome of the upcoming meeting.