Police summon group for allegedly championing homosexuality during march-past

Police has summoned the conveners of the march-past which took place on Saturday in Lusaka to ascertain why the event was turned into a forum for championing homosexuality.

On Saturday, a foundation called Sistah Sistah Foundation Zambia undertook a march past within Lusaka District to raise awareness against women and girls sexual and Gender Based Violence.

This was after the foundation was granted permission by the Zambia police, specifically for raising awareness against women and girls sexual and Gender Based Violence.

The application was made on February 22, 2023 and the march- past was slated for March 4, 2023 at the Rugby Club in the Show Grounds.

Police was however shocked to notice that during the said March-past, conveners exhibited a different agenda from the one whose permit they sort for.

The agenda seemed to have highlighted issues of LGBTQ (Homosexuality), says Deputy Police Public Relations Officer Danny Mwale, in a statement issued on Sunday.

“It is in this vain that the Zambia Police Service has summoned the conveners of the March-past in order to ascertain why the event was turned into a forum for championing homosexuality.

“According to the laws of Zambia, practicing homosexuality is a crime punishable by law. Sections 155 and 157 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia criminalize same-sex conduct between consenting adults. In addition, Zambia is a Christian nation and government does not champion homosexuality,” Mwale said.

He explained that the permit was granted considering that issues of sexual and GBV are on the increase as detected by the Police Victim Support Unit.

“As such, this was deemed to be a noble cause by the Police. In the same vain, the same request was made to the Lusaka City Council and the Sistah Sistah Foundation were given a go-ahead.

“Members of the public are therefore, warned that they should not flout the law deliberately by taking advantage of the prevailing environment that allows for freedom of expression and assembly,” Mwale said.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.