ZAMBIANS LIVING IN FEAR
…arrest of Dr Fred M’membe is evidence of shrinking democratic space – Aka
By Adrian Mwanza and Charles Musonda
COUNCIL of Elders member Dr Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika says Zambians are living in constant fear under the United Party for National Development (UPND) government.
And Patriotic Front (PF) acting national chairperson Jean Kapata says hostility against the opposition has grown so intense that most mobilisation activities, including the former ruling party’s upcoming elective General Conference will be held in secret.
Speaking when he featured on the Emmanuel Mwamba Verified (EMV) podcast on Monday night, Dr Mbikusita-Lewanika warned Zambians not to allow anyone to trample on their civil rights.
“A number of citizens are living in fear because law enforcement agencies are undermining our people’s civil rights. Our civil rights are second to none, and there should be no human being whose human rights are more respected than his own,” Dr Mbikusita-Lewanika said.
He said opposition political parties were the most affected, with their members being arrested over petty issues simply for holding divergent views.
Dr Mbikusita-Lewanika said it was shameful that the UPND government had placed law enforcement agencies and electoral bodies under its capture.
“Most Zambians are now living in fear because the government, through state machinery, is clamping down on them, making it difficult to enjoy their rights. Freedom of association should not be taken for granted by anyone and people should not have their rights trampled on,” he said.
He said the recent arrest of Socialist Party president and 2026 People’s Pact presidential candidate Dr Fred M’membe was another example of efforts by the UPND to curtail fundamental freedoms.
In a separate interview, PF acting national chairperson Jean Kapata said the opposition in Zambia was under serious threat.
Kapata said the level of hostility directed at opposition parties had made mobilisation efforts impossible.
“Even the media will know about our convention on the actual day and after it has been done because we do not want any hostility against us,” she said.
Kapata said the PF would announce its work plan later because of the immense hostility against the former ruling party.
“In a democratic country, you are not allowed to have a convention, you are not allowed to do anything, so we are not announcing. I don’t even want to say it. Anybody who will read it will know where the hostility is coming from, even you, you know where the hostility is coming from. I don’t think I need to tell you where the hostility is coming from,” she said.
But UPND deputy secretary general Gertrude Imenda said the PF and other opposition political parties should not blame the ruling party for their political misfortunes.
