Since the arrest earlier this week of the Zambian gay rights activist Paul Kasonkomona, a raging debate over the issue has taken over the country, with a number of officials from the ruling Patriotic Front party issuing improvised and often conflicting statements with regard to the government’s position.
Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili appeared deeply uncomfortable with even the idea of having a debate over gay rights, claiming that the PF government would not tolerate any talk of homosexuality.
An emotionally charged Kambwili called in on Radio Phoenix’s Let The Talk programme and said government would further stiffen laws to curb what he termed “gay-ism,” bringing about some unflattering comparisons with Uganda, where aggressive policies on this issue have led to violence.
“We will not tolerate homosexuality in Zambia in fact as government we will push for legislation to stiffen punishment,” said Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo, echoing Kambwili’s sentiments saying there was no room for homosexuals in Zambia. The debate is serving as a test for the tolerance levels in the self proclaimed democratic nation with many observers watching how the debate will pan out.
Mr Kasonkomona was on Sunday night arrested by police officers and detained at Woodlands Police Station after appearing on Muvi Television’s The Assignment Programme. He stayed in detention until Thursday when the police who had been rummaging through the statute books to find a law under which to charge finally settled on a charge of disorderly conduct.
The case comes up on May 15 for trial with Kasonkomona finally out on a Kr 5000 bail.
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