Otupak

[Linda Kasonde @LindaKasonde]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
14th September 2026
ZAMBIA'S DESCENT INTO LAWLESSNESS: A CALL TO DEFEND CONSTITUTIONALISM, DUE PROCESS AND THE RULE OF LAW

We, the undersigned Zambian civil society organisations, are issuing this statement to express our grave concern at a pattern of conduct by the Zambian Government in the weeks before, during, and after the 13th August general election; conduct that, taken together, points to a deliberate and escalating disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law, due process, constitutionalism, and the human rights of Zambian citizens.

We are issuing this statement one day before the world marks the International Day of Democracy on 15th September, a day set aside by the United Nations to reflect on the state of democracy across the globe. We call on all Zambians, and on the international community, to mark this year's Day of Democracy by reflecting soberly on what we set out below.

We highlight three developments that, in our view, form part of a troubling pattern:

First, the arbitrary cancellation of passports without due process. Six citizens' passports were cancelled by government gazette notice, with no hearing and no opportunity to challenge the decision. Those affected include former Ambassador to Ethiopia Emmanuel Mwamba, academic Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa, and two former Members of Parliament.

Second, treason and sedition charges against opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu, who have been detained since late August without being brought before a court. We are further gravely concerned for 18 other detainees held in connection with these matters, over allegations made in a court petition under oath of unlawful detention, denial of access to lawyers and family, and torture, including waterboarding.

Third, a growing trend of abductions, illustrated by the arrest of sitting Member of Parliament Honourable Faith Munthali, which we believe echoes a wider pattern of abduction-style detentions of government critics and opposition figures.

We do not view these as isolated incidents. Taken together, they amount to a constitutional crisis, breaching guarantees on freedom of movement, personal liberty, and the right to a fair hearing.

We call on the Government of the Republic of Zambia to: restore the cancelled passports; bring all detainees before the courts without further delay, or withdraw the charges; independently and transparently investigate all allegations of torture; end any practice amounting to enforced disappearance; and restore and consistently observe the rule of law, due process, and the separation of powers.

We further call on government to take concrete steps to restore public confidence in the integrity and independence of our constitutional and public offices, including the Judiciary, the Defence Force, law enforcement wings, and the Electoral Commission. We further urge the Government to convene an inclusive national dialogue bringing together government, opposition, civil society and faith communities.

We also call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the Commonwealth, SADC, and United Nations human rights mechanisms to engage directly with the Zambian Government on these concerns, and not to look away.

Signed by:
Linda Kasonde
Executive Director, LCK Freedom Foundation

For and on behalf of:

Advocates for Democratic Governance Foundation
Caritas Zambia
Chapter One Foundation
Free Press Initiative Zambia
LCK Freedom Foundation

Full statement attached below.

@UNHumanRights
@SADC_News
@commonwealthsec
@achpr_cadhp
@IBAHRI
@cla_lawyers
@LawyersofAfrica
@AmnestySARO
@hrw
@cnni
@BBCAfrica
@ReutersAfrica
@nytimes
@RFIAfrique
@DeutscheWelle
@SABCNews
@FreedomLck
@CofZambia

[George T. Diano @georgediano]

WAIT TILL YOU FIND OUT WHAT THIS ADVERT IS ACTUALLY ABOUT!!😭😭😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 😂

[ZED Students POWER @StudentsZed]

We are so sorry Hon. We failed you as a nation 💔💔💔💔

[plant a tree 🌱 @MHopeMK]

Wow! So this song is Zambian? 🧨🧨

[@The za🇿🇲bian guy @Sherancis1]

And this Chinese company continues releasing more poison into the atmosphere, after calling ZEMA numerous times without any response I just realised our lives dont matter.

[Laura Miti @LauraMiti]

The outgoing US Ambassador gave a damning farewell speech. Summary - Zambians are dirt poor, die coz govs ensure grand theft of money that can change lives. I'll cut to the chase - President H, your gov, your team at state H stink with corruption & there's no way you don't know.

[The Driven Man @Thedrivenman]

Have you ever noticed the Bible says there are two things that destroy anxiety?

[H. @Lawrence_LH7]

Outgoing ZNFU President, Mr. Zimba is a vibe. He just had to say it in the face of the President- ‘Delayed payments to the farmers who sold maize to FRA’

[Otupak @Kingkaputo]

@itsmnyirenda Then proceed and design your battery bank based on your average continous power and peak. Solar minigrids use the same concept. REA asses which is cheaper between grid extension or a solar minigrid. Yes, it is possible to be completely off ZESCO

[Otupak @Kingkaputo]

@itsmnyirenda It is possible to be completely offgrid. The first thing to do is, load assessment then, design your solar pv system based on what load you have. Solar been intermittent, you increase on your number of panels, offcourse based on the MPPT(Maximum PowerPoint tracking )

[Talk Church @churchtalkative]

Wow!!!!! This message is so clear, powerful🙏

[Sana Ebrahimi Ledene @SanaELedene]

Islamist militants are killing women and children and terrorizing civilians. It is so heartbreaking to see loud voices on social media stay silent.
Those who have been lecturing us on “genocide” for the past two years are suddenly out of words.

[Minister of Uncomfortable Conversation @FollowbackZed]

Loaded with wisdom .

Cc - @HHichilema

[Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya @BuyoyaJonah]

I think the Auditor General’s Report shows a bigger problem than missing funds. Zambia’s shift to digital governance is failing. Payroll, IFMIS and e-service systems meant to stop corruption now operate without audit trails, backups or oversight. The danger isn’t theft. It’s vanishing accountability.

[Petita Mwanza @petitamwanza]

Kopala isnt a real place 🥹😭😭😭

[Otupak @Kingkaputo]

@luchi7 At what point will we hold such individuals accountable? With previous reports conducted by the AG, what punishments have been put in place as we cannot keep going on like this

[Luciano @luchi7]

Contractor was paid K1M out of the K3M and built a slab and has since vanished….at the point all you can do is laugh

[Minister of Uncomfortable Conversation @FollowbackZed]

I might strongly disagree with H.E. President @HHichilema on many fronts, but to fault him for advising the Chiefs is total mischief. Chiefs must understand that we all fall under the superior banner of Zambia.

Well done Sir!

[Jowisa Jr @JWSakalajr]

ZamPost is becoming obsolete, and modern courier services with faster delivery, digital tracking, and reliable customer service are proving to be better alternatives.

[Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya @BuyoyaJonah]

THE RTSA CEO'S AUDIO DEFEATS THE MERITOCRACY AND DIVERSITY WE WANT TO ACHIEVE

By Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya

A recent audio involving the RTSA CEO Amon Mweemba and an unknown colleague has emerged and as usual, it has resulted in very diverse opinions. This is not strange in Zambia when you are talking about accountability that may remotely implicate any politician. People assume an immediate formation to go on the offensive, or indeed the defensive. One can even be convinced that it is impossible for someone you share similar values to be wrong. They just can’t be wrong!

In the audio, which is not fake as some have claimed, Mr. Mweemba is heard talking about how he reversed the appointment of a job candidate on account that he was undeserving of the offer, in preference for a person who got a distinction in mathematics and is from the Southern region of the country.

He spends a decent amount of time arguing that the hiring committee is composed of people who deliberately hire Easterners and Northerners. At some point, he proudly recounts how he reversed the hiring of candidates from Northern and Eastern Zambia, because it didn’t have certain regions.

In a phone conversation with myself, for which I requested permission to share, he says his objective was to encourage meritocracy and diversity in RSTA. He argues that that was the basis of his conversation. He says it is a deliberate move aimed at encouraging meritocracy and diversity.

At face value, this sounds like a good thing; but this is not an accurate representation of what happens in that audio. At some point, the lady in the background rudely refers to the removed top candidate as “Chi Mwale [in tonga]”, to which Mr. Mweemba strongly agrees. They allege, baselessly so, that the said Mwale’s aptitude test was written on his behalf. The mere fact that this Mwale, whom they both don’t know personally, was referred to in such a condescending tone is a sad scenario itself. Why should he be referred to in such terrible language? Simply because of his tribe?

While the CEO argues that this is about meritocracy, does he have the right to disqualify a candidate simply because of his assumption of tribe? Is the hiring of people based only on the grades they got at grade 12? Otherwise, there would be no need to hold job interviews. All you would need to do is invite applications and hire the person with the highest grade 12 results. The CEO here interferes with a hiring process, which he shouldn’t. An interviewing committee is far much better suited to decide who gets employed, based on the discussion they had during the interview.

Public sector hiring is governed by specific procedures and regulations. It is a multi-faceted process designed to assess a candidate's overall suitability, including their experience, interview performance, and problem-solving skills, not just their academic transcripts from years ago. By interfering with a hiring committee's decision, Mr. Mweemba not only undermines the committee's authority but also the integrity of the entire process.

The Employment Code Act, No. 3 of 2019, clearly prohibits discrimination in employment. Section 5 of the Act explicitly prohibits direct and indirect discrimination against a prospective employee "in respect of recruitment... or other matters." Article 23 of the Constitution of Zambia broadly prohibits discrimination based on "race, tribe, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed, sex or marital status."
Mr. Mweemba's unilateral reversal of a committee's decision, based on a baseless and derogatory assumption, is the very antithesis of a procedurally fair process. It is an abuse of power, plain and simple.

It is quite contradictory that the CEO is claiming to be pushing meritocracy and diversity when in the same audio, he is heard sharing his joy about how both newly recruited HR officers are from the same tribe. How can that be? He further assures the other colleagues present that the remaining key position will also go the same way.

True diversity is not about swapping one dominant group for another; it is about creating a truly inclusive environment where the best candidates, regardless of their background, are given a fair chance. It is about transparency, accountability, and the equal application of rules.

Even if we assume the CEO's intentions were purely to fix historical imbalances and promote merit, the way he went about it is indefensible. His strategy of specifically hiring from one region to "balance" the workforce doesn't solve tribalism. It just flips it around. This approach replaces one form of tribal favoritism with another.

The message it sends to everyone, staff and job seekers alike, is that to get a position, you still have to be from the "right" tribe. This simply creates a new way to play favorites, which goes against the very principles of fairness and competence Mr. Mweemba claims to be upholding.

Resolving historical tribal imbalances requires a much more deliberate and objective process. Tribalism in Zambia has deep historical roots, and it will not be solved by reactionary policies, but rather by careful and considered strategies that prioritize long-term national unity. One path forward is the establishment of independent commissions of inquiry. These bodies would be empowered to conduct comprehensive, transparent investigations into historical hiring practices, economic disparities, and social grievances without fear or favour.

The purpose of such an inquiry would be not to cast blame, but to establish a factual, shared understanding of the past. Based on these findings, the government could then develop and implement a national policy framework for the public service that is based on merit, competence, and equal opportunity for all citizens, regardless of their background.

This is the third leaked audio involving high ranking officials in this government, and it would be a great tragedy if it were to be ignored just as the others have been. A society cannot function when it turns a blind eye to wrongdoing, no matter who is responsible. The principle that a wrong is a wrong, even when committed by those we support, is fundamental to a just and equitable society. Failing to act on these serious allegations undermines public trust and sets a dangerous precedent for the future.