The judicial harassment of Zgambo exposes the emptiness of the new dawn government’s repeated commitment to press freedom, having arrested the journalist three times in less than a year!
Lusaka, Oct. 19 – Thomas Allan Zgambo is no stranger to the clanging of iron bars, the cold cell floors, and the looming shadow of intimidation that haunts Zambian journalists. Yet, his latest arrest on October 16 has ignited a fresh wave of outrage, with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) stepping in to demand his immediate release. For someone who has spent much of his career uncovering government misdeeds, Zgambo’s confinement at Ridgeway Police Post without charge is a chilling reminder of how quickly promises of press freedom can evaporate into thin air.
Also Read: Arresting Zgambo Won’t Arrest the Truth: A Legal Advisor’s Grip on Zambia’s Judiciary! The Police might remove Zgambo from the public eye for a while, but as the saying goes, you can’t lock up the truth. Hichilema’s real concern should be how long it will take before the house of cards comes tumbling down!
It wasn’t long ago that President Hakainde Hichilema stood before the world, beating his chest about the dawn of a new era – one where journalists would no longer fear for their lives or livelihoods simply because they dared to expose the uncomfortable truth. But here we are again.
As CPJ’s Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo rightly points out, the continued harassment of Zgambo paints a stark picture of the emptiness behind those pledges. The so-called “new dawn” feels more like the dead of night for the press, where those in power wield the law like a club to silence the voices they find inconvenient.
Zgambo’s arrest reeks of something more sinister than a mere misunderstanding of the law. While the police may casually scribble “criminal libel” on the arrest records, the message is clear: investigative journalism is a risky endeavor under the current administration.
This marks Zgambo’s third run-in with the law in under a year. His first arrest, back in November 2023, saw him locked up for four days under the shadow of seditious practices – a charge that could hang over his head for up to seven years. Why? Because he dared to criticize the government’s food import policies. Each arrest feels less like a coincidence and more like an orchestrated campaign to muzzle him.
The irony is that Zgambo’s latest detention came just hours after President Hichilema, through his Information Minister Cornelius Mweetwa, was singing hymns about protecting press freedom. It’s as if the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing – or worse, they’re both playing different tunes from the same deceptive score.
Also Read: Plot Against Sangwa Thickens But Can the Contempt of Court Charge Erase the Truth? The Zambian government’s attempt to arrest John Sangwa for contempt of court, following his criticism of the state, risks backfiring by amplifying his message and exposing political interference in the judiciary.
While the president may craft eloquent speeches about the importance of a free press, the actions of his government speak volumes. Arrests like Zgambo’s undermine the very foundation of democracy and freedom Hichilema claims to uphold. It’s one thing to promise freedom, but quite another to deliver on it.
For Zgambo, sitting in his police cell, the reality of being repeatedly targeted for doing his job is nothing short of disheartening. “These persistent arrests over my reporting are meant to silence me so that I begin to report positively about the government,” Zgambo told CPJ. The aim is clear: force the press into submission, and turn watchdogs into lapdogs. But journalists like Zgambo are not so easily tamed. Each unjust arrest serves as a reminder of the high cost of truth in a land where powerful forces would rather it remain buried.
Meanwhile, the silence from the president’s spokesperson, Clayson Hamasaka, and police spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, is deafening. CPJ’s attempts to reach them for comment were met with the cold shoulder, a tactic as old as time when governments are caught with their pants down. Their refusal to respond only adds fuel to the fire, exposing the fragility of the administration’s commitment to press freedom. In this case, actions – or lack thereof – speak louder than words.
As CPJ continues its fight to defend journalists like Zgambo, it becomes painfully clear that the battle for press freedom in Zambia is far from over. President Hichilema’s lofty promises are quickly turning into hollow platitudes, and every arrest chips away at his credibility.
Also Read: FPAZ Expresses Concern Over Growing Intimidation in Zambia’s Democratic Space! A vibrant democracy thrives on diverse opinions and merit-based debate, and suppressing dissent will only hinder the innovative solutions Zambia needs for economic recovery and national development.
If this government truly wants to claim the mantle of democratic leadership, it must drop all charges against Zgambo and allow investigative journalists to operate without fear of reprisal. Until then, Zambia’s press freedom remains nothing more than a mirage in the desert of political rhetoric.
About Our Advocacy: Woodpecker’s Digest provides in-depth analyses and commentary on issues of national importance, alongside articles on personal development and health. We believe journalism can be a force for socio-economic change.
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