Rights Group Condemns “Barbaric” Murder of Enock Simfukwe, Accuses Zambia Police of Victim-Blaming
Published on August 20, 2025 at 1:11 PM by Evance Kapito
The Zambian Civil Liberties Union (ZCLU) has strongly condemned the brutal torture and killing of 22-year-old Enock Simfukwe, whose body was discovered at a farm in Chisamba allegedly owned by Maria Zaloumis and Nathaniel Chinyeremi Barthram.
In a statement, ZCLU Acting Deputy Executive Director Derrick Chekwe criticized the Zambia Police Service for its handling of the case, accusing it of appearing to blame the deceased victim instead of pursuing justice.
“This is unacceptable. Law enforcement exists to protect life and uphold justice not to excuse, sanitize, or shield those implicated in heinous crimes,” Chekwe said.
He warned that Zambians must not be made to believe that certain individuals, because of their social or economic status, are above the law.
Chekwe further condemned the torture methods allegedly used on Simfukwe, describing them as “barbaric and illegal.” He emphasized that vigilante-style killings are unconstitutional and immoral, stressing that no person has the authority to mete out instant justice.
ZCLU has demanded the immediate arrest of all individuals directly involved in the crime, including accomplices and enablers, and called for a transparent and credible investigation to ensure the case is not treated with leniency because of the suspects’ social profiles.
“The torture and killing of Enock Simfukwe cannot be justified by mere suspicion. The Zambian people deserve a fair, impartial, and consistent justice system that values every life equally. Anything less is a betrayal of our constitutional values and a direct assault on democracy,” Chekwe said.
He warned that failure by the police to act decisively would embolden a dangerous culture of mob violence and set the country on a perilous path where the rule of law is replaced by instant justice.
ZCLU has vowed not to stand by and watch as the case is trivialized or swept under the carpet, insisting that justice must be served swiftly, fully, and without fear or favour.
