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The United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Thomas Zgambo, who has been held at Lusaka’s Ridgeway Police Station for over two weeks on criminal defamation charges.
UKA spokesperson, Jackson Silavwe, expressed deep concern over Zgambo’s prolonged detention and the similar cases of Elijah Kaumba, 22, and his brother Ernest Kaumba, 26, who have been held for 27 days after allegedly defaming President Hakainde Hichilema.
Speaking to journalists in Lusaka on Wednesday, Silavwe condemned the detention as an “act of state harassment and intimidation” targeting citizens with dissenting views, stating that such extrajudicial measures contradict Zambia’s laws.
He criticised President Hichilema for allowing police to detain individuals on bondable offenses longer than necessary, despite his public assurances that those arrested should be admitted to bond swiftly.
“It is hypocritical for President Hichilema to allow the police to detain citizens beyond the legal limit for bondable offenses,” Silavwe said.
He added that UKA would not tolerate such “excesses” by government officials connected to the case, including Acting Auditor General, Ron Mwambwa and State House Special Assistant Lawrence Mwananyanda, who lodged complaints against Zgambo.
Silavwe urged Mwambwa and Mwananyanda to seek legal redress in court instead of using state resources to target private citizens.
He also highlighted Zgambo’s previous support for the UPND’s 2021 election campaign, calling it ironic that he is now facing state harassment.
Read More: More condemn arrest of Zambian investigative journalist, Zgambo
Silavwe further condemned the extended detention of the Kaumba brothers, who were arrested in Kalulushi and transported to Lusaka, allegedly for producing a TikTok video that defamed President Hichilema.
“Detaining the Kaumba brothers for 27 days without court arraignment is a blatant violation of human rights,” he asserted, criticizing the Human Rights Commission (HRC) for remaining silent on the matter.
In his remarks, Silavwe commended the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) for showing interest in Zgambo’s case and urged the HRC to advocate against human rights abuses.
He called on all Zambians to remain vigilant and vocal in opposing what he described as the New Dawn government’s misuse of state power and suppression of free expression.
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