MINISTER of Home Affairs and Internal Affairs Jack Mwiimbu has dismissed claims that the New Dawn Administration recommended for the release of Ms Precious Himululi alias Precious Namweemba Magande.
On Thursday social media was awash with a snippets of the ZedPodcast in which socialite and former convict Ms Magande claimed she stole about US$1.2 million from the house of a Patriotic Front government official in 2019.
Ms Mangande disclosed that she was convicted and sentenced to five years after she pleaded guilty to the charges.
She further claimed that she was taken to Lusaka Central Correctional Facility, however after some United Party members visited her, she was transferred to Maximum Correctional Facility as she was considered a security risk.
Ms Magande Magande also claimed she was released from jail by the new government after being pardoned by President Hakainde Hichilema.
However, at a press briefing, the Minister in charge has disputed the claims stating that the New Dawn Administration has nothing to do with Ms Magande’s release as she was recommended for Amnesty Release on 9th August 2021 before UPND formed government.
” The Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security wishes to inform the General Public and Citizenry that according to the records held by the Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS), KBF/31/21 Precious Himululi alias Precious Namweemba Magande was admitted to Lusaka Central Female Correctional Centre on 19th March,2020, aged 28 years for the offence of Theft, Contrary Section 272 of the Penal Code and was convicted and sentenced to three years Simple Imprisonment with effect from 11th February,2020 and later transferred to Kabwe Female Maximum Prisons and Correctional Centre for security reasons.
On 9th August,2021,after serving two-thirds of her sentence, KBF/31/21 Precious Himululi alias Precious Namweemba Magande was recommended for Amnesty by the Officer in Charge at Kabwe Female Prisons and Correctional Centre after meeting the requirements as any other inmate as provided for, by Article 97 of the Constitution,” he said.
Mr Mwiimbu said it is undisputable, that Ms Magande met all the requirements for recommendation for Amnesty, however it is mischievous to blatantly state that she was recommended for Amnesty by the New Dawn Government.
He said the New Dawn Government was voted on the premise of Rule of Law and Upholding of the Human Rights of its Citizens including those in incarceration.
Mr Mwiimbu appealed to the media houses to be mindful when covering stories related to security as they cause unnecessary alarm.
He assured the nation that all inmates in custody are safe under the Zambia Correctional Service, through the leadership of Commissioner General Fredrick Chilukutu.
