Zambia ‘arrests doctors over strike plan’

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Zambia ‘arrests doctors over strike plan’

10:59 CAT | 31 May 2021

Image: CGTN Africa

Police in Zambia have started arresting members of the resident doctors association after their leadership announced a strike on Friday.

The association is demanding the recruitment of 500 doctors and payment of salary arrears, among other issues, according to Dr Brian Sampa, president of the Resident Doctors Association of Zambia (RDAZ).

They also demanding the creation of new positions for senior doctors who have continued to receive salaries at the level of junior doctors.

Following his announcement on Friday that the doctors would begin a strike, Mr Sampa’s practicing license has been suspended.

Zambia Police chief Kakoma Kanganja has also warned him that he would be arrested if he continued addressing his members through zoom meetings.

Police to arrest doctors who attended a Zoom meeting with suspended RDAZ President Dr. Brian Sampa – https://t.co/bOugAPzDnS pic.twitter.com/uU5ZXj6r3F

— Mwebantu (@Mwebantu) May 30, 2021

However, Mr Sampa has released a video, widely shared on social media, alleging that his members were now being arrested.

We hear now that doctors are now being arrested for asking for their arrears says Resident Doctors Association of Zambia president Dr Brian Sampa pic.twitter.com/tpcozAvCQl

— pilAto (@iampilato) May 30, 2021

Zambians on social media have condemned the arrests, with opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema tweeting that the crackdown was “insane”:

The intimidation of our Doctors must end immediately! It is insane that in times of Covid-19, a Government can arrest such essential workers just for seeking what is due to them. Be strong my friends, we are forming Government soon. pic.twitter.com/SoupPk8avs

— Hakainde Hichilema (@HHichilema) May 30, 2021

Source: BBC