THE Human Rights Commission (HRC) has assured the public that former cabinet minister Chishimba Kambwili is receiving adequate medical attention while in custody at Lusaka Central Correctional Service Facility.
This follows concerns raised in sections of the media, opposition Patriotic Front (PF) and his family that Kambwili’s health was deteriorating and not being adequately managed in prison.
In a statement, HRC spokesperson Mweelwa Muleya revealed that the Commission conducted an inspection visit to Lusaka Central Correctional Service on August 13 to independently verify Kambwili’s health status.
According to the Commission’s findings, Kambwili was transferred from Kasama Central Correctional Facility to Lusaka on August 5, 2025 to attend court sessions.
Upon arrival, he was admitted to the facility’s clinic to cater for his health needs, including being given access to an elevated bed.
Muleya explained that the Commission held separate interactions with Kambwili, Correctional Service officers and medical staff in order to establish his health situation and to determine if there was a need for remedial action.
“The public may wish to know that the finding of the Commission was that the Zambia Correctional Service was facilitating medical access to Dr Kambwili and so far, the Commission was not privy to any report indicating that his health needs were beyond the capacity of the medical personnel that were attending to him,” said Muleya.
The HRC further clarified that its visit to Kambwili took place even before PF acting president Given Lubinda officially lodged a complaint on August 15, regarding his alleged deteriorating health.
Muleya stated that the Commission is bound by law to respect the right to privacy of every person, including the protection of medical information that comes to its attention during investigations.
He added that the Commission would continue to monitor the situation closely but would only intervene further if advised by qualified medical personnel that the former minister’s condition required attention beyond what the Correctional Service could provide.
Kambwili is currently serving a five-month prison sentence after his conviction on November 2023 for hate speech.
The court found him guilty of making tribal remarks against the people of Southern Province, contrary to Section 70 (1) of the Penal Code, which prohibits expressions of hatred or ridicule based on tribe or place of origin.
His appeal was dismissed by the High Court in Kasama on July 14, 2025 and he decided not to appeal but serve the sentence.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, August 18, 2025
