Politicians, claiming that democracy in Zambia is under siege, are using political tactics to tarnish the reputation of Zambia’s government and perhaps have the country sanctioned, according to Zambian Vice-President Guy Scott.
Mr Scott, speaking in Johannesburg, on Thursday addressed concerns about the direction of Zambia’s political and business policies under outspoken President Michael Sata’s administration.
Opposition leaders earlier this year accused the government of jeopardising Zambia’s democracy after a series of investigations — and harassment — of opposition members. The recent deportation of foreign business people has also seen the Zambian government being accused of backdoor socialism.
The immunity of former president Rupiah Banda was withdrawn and he was arrested on charges of corruption in recent weeks.
The development was labelled politically motivated, but is not new in Zambian politics.
The immunity of former president Frederick Chiluba was lifted by the Zambian parliament in 2002.
Mr Scott’s comments were in part directed at a press briefing called by opposition leaders, including Nevers Mumba of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy and Zambia Direct Democracy Movement leader Edwin Sakala, earlier this year, at which they accused Mr Sata of being a dictator and urged the international community to help defend democracy in Zambia.
They also said that the Public Order Act was being used to prohibit them from gathering in Zambia and encroached on freedom of expression and association.
Mr Scott said the act was legacy legislation that the Zambian government would put under judicial review. “People have a very long memory when it comes to the nightmare days of the past. These acts are bits of legislation that we have inherited. It’s a colonial piece of legislation.… We don’t lock people up on the president’s say-so.”
Mr Scott said the opposition often exploited the international media and appealed to international bodies such as the Commonwealth to have the country censured.
Earlier this month the Movement for Multiparty Democracy said it would boycott parliamentary by-elections which started this week, citing intimidation and harassment of their supporters.
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