The State hastily dropped the seditious practices charge and granted bail, but not before keeping the Kaumba brothers behind bars for nearly two months. Their TikTok satire may have mocked the President, but it is the government’s heavy-handed response that now stands as the real punchline of this unfolding drama.
Lusaka, Dec. 4 – The Lusaka Magistrate Court has granted bail of K5,000 each to Elijah Kaumba and his younger brother, Enerst Kaumba, who must also provide two sureties. Initially charged with seditious practices, the State dropped this accusation and replaced it with a charge of insulting language. If convicted, the offense carries a maximum penalty of a K150 fine, three months imprisonment, or both. Observers argue that the brothers have technically already served the likely sentence after nearly two months of detention. This development underscores a troubling reality: the seditious practices charge appears to have been nothing more than a tool for unwarranted detention.
Also Read: From Democratic Dreamer to Despotic Dictator: Hichilema’s Fragile Throne! Under a scared presidency of Hichilema, Zambia might as well replace the Zambian eagle with a chicken. True leadership isn’t about silencing youthful voices; it’s about delivering on promises and serving the people with humility, not fear.
The Kaumba brothers were apprehended in Kalulushi on October 3, 2024, and held in Lusaka, far from their Copperbelt home. Without family or acquaintances in the capital, they have endured an isolating ordeal. Their plight gained public attention when the Zambian Whistleblower highlighted their detention, alongside that of their Chief Consultant, Thomas Allan Zgambo. In response, civil society and concerned citizens rallied to demand their release. However, even with bail granted, finding sureties and temporary accommodation in Lusaka remained a challenge for the brothers as they await their trial on December 10, 2024.
Former President Edgar Lungu added his voice to the outcry, directing his legal team to challenge the prolonged detention. The alleged offense? A TikTok video mocking President Hakainde Hichilema. Critics argue this heavy-handed response to satire reveals an administration thin-skinned to criticism and willing to wield its power to intimidate dissenters. As the saying goes, “When you shoot the messenger, the message only grows louder.” This case has become a flashpoint in debates about human rights and the rule of law in Zambia.
The substitution of charges from sedition to insulting language has raised more questions than answers. To many, it seems a clumsy attempt to justify an unjustifiable detention. The spectacle of such disproportionate state action over a social media post highlights deeper concerns about governance priorities. Instead of focusing on Zambia’s pressing economic and social challenges, critics allege that the government is preoccupied with silencing dissent – a disturbing hallmark of creeping authoritarianism.
The Kaumba brothers’ ordeal has united diverse voices in a show of resistance against state overreach. From grassroots organizations to figures like former President Lungu, collective action forced the government to bring the brothers to court. While their release on bail is a small victory, it also underscores the critical role of public pressure in holding power to account. However, this case is a sobering reminder of how fragile freedoms can be when a regime views criticism as a crime.
Also Read: Hichilema Faces Arrest as his Silence is a Green Light for Corruption! Hichilema’s failure to address rampant corruption, from the CDF ambulance scandal to Mopani Mine’s unconstitutional sale, signals complicity rather than leadership. As his inaction emboldens institutional looting and undermines governance, he risks facing legal accountability post-2026, leaving a legacy stained by the very corruption he vowed to eradicate.
As the trial date looms, the Kaumba brothers’ case has become more than a legal proceeding – it is a test of Zambia’s democratic ideals. Will justice prevail, or will the shadow of fear and control continue to darken the country’s governance? The eyes of the nation, and indeed the world, are watching closely, for in their fate lies a reflection of the state of freedom in Zambia.
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