Lusaka, November 17, 2025 — The Patriotic Front (PF) has formally lodged a protest with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), accusing the Zambian government of systematically undermining democratic institutions, the rule of law, and fundamental human rights ahead of the 2026 general elections.

In a detailed letter addressed to SADC leadership, PF Chairperson for Information and Publicity, Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba, outlined a pattern of state-backed repression targeting opposition activities. He cited documented violations already recognized by international bodies, including the U.S. Department of State’s Country Report on Human Rights Practices and findings from the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Mwamba condemned the consistent denial of permits for PF rallies, protests, and public gatherings, stating that the Zambia Police routinely invoke vague “security concerns” or the outdated Public Order Act to suppress legitimate political expression. He added that since 2024, the PF has been effectively barred from participating in any electoral processes.

He further accused President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration of orchestrating the takeover of a rival political party through political surrogates  an act he described as an abuse of state power to eliminate competition.

Mwamba alleged that law enforcement agencies have been weaponized against opposition figures, with PF members subjected to frequent arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, and imprisonment under repressive legislation designed to silence dissent

He also reported repeated raids on the PF national headquarters by police and ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres. During these incursions, Mwamba said, party property — including furniture, vehicles, and communication equipment — has been vandalized or destroyed, and security personnel have been physically assaulted.

“These actions are not isolated incidents,” Mwamba stated. “They constitute a coordinated campaign to neutralize political opposition and manipulate the electoral environment in favor of the ruling party.”

He emphasized that these conduct violate the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, as enshrined in the SADC Treaty, and threaten regional stability. “Elections conducted under conditions of fear, intimidation, and institutional bias do not produce legitimate outcomes — and they do not guarantee peace,” he said.

Mwamba called on SADC Chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, Peter Mutharika, to intervene urgently. He urged SADC to initiate formal dialogue with the Zambian government, demand compliance with regional democratic standards, and deploy monitoring mechanisms to ensure the integrity of the 2026 polls.

“The people of Zambia deserve elections that are free, fair, and credible,” Mwamba concluded. “SADC must not remain silent while democracy is eroded in one of its member states.”

Full letter Below,

HIS EXCELLENCY ELIAS M MAGOSI

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

SADC HOUSE

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

PRIVATE BAG 0095

GABORONE

BOTSWANA

RE; THREATS TO DEMOCRACY, AND THE HOLDING OF FREE &FAIR ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

I’m a senior member of the Opposition Patriotic Front party here in Zambia. I’m a Member of the Central Committee and hold the position of Chairperson for Information and Publicity.

We wish to bring to attention serious development occurring in Zambia that requires immediate attention by the leaders of the member states.

This letter has been written to the attention of both the Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency President Cyrill Ramaposa and the  Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence  and Security, His Excellency Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika.

Various international reports including the United Nations Huiman Rights Council and the United States Country Report have cited Zambia for serious violations and abuse of human rights, for negative activities shrinking both the democratic and media space, the break down of the Rule of Law, the abuse of the law against political opponents and critics of government.

Zambia is scheduled to hold Presidential, Parliamentary, Mayoral, Council Chairpersons and Local Government elections in August 2026.

However, the holding of credible, democratic, free, and fair elections is under serious threats unless the government of President Hakainde Hichilema is persuaded to abandon the course it currently is on.

As you are aware, elections are a process and most of the irregularities, infringements, violence and negative conditions occur way before the voting day.

The SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, mandates member states to hold elections using shared values that promote values of Democracy, respect for human rights and the Rule of Law as enshrined in the SADC Treaty signed at Windhoek, Namibia in 1992, a matter that guarantees durable peace and security in member states and the SADC region.

The Government of President Hichilema has:

1. Since 2021, banned political campaigns, protests, demonstrations, and picketing by the Opposition and other social formations. The Zambia Police uses the pretext of “security concerns” and the archaic Public Order Act to stop, arrest and prosecute those that may hold “Illegal Assembly”. Although President Hichilema promised to repeal the law whilst in Opposition, he has weaponized it together with other laws such as the colonial laws on sedition reprised to criminalize speech and criticism against government.
2. He has weaponized Law Enforcement Agencies that are being used as tools to detain, arrest and imprison political opponents. He has also effectively interfered with the Judiciary, issuing running commentaries, threats and accusations against members of the Judiciary. He has caused transfers and dismissals of those deemed, without foundation, sympathetic to the previous regime.
3. Government has passed oppressive and repressive laws that have literally taken away constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms. Among the laws passed include the Cyber Security and Crimes Acts passed in March 2025.
4. He has caused a significant purge of the civil service, dismissing, retiring or suspending professionals and with open discrimination caused appointments of persons to man key institutions based on tribe and region.
5. He has appointed members of the UPND, the ruling party, to run the Electoral Commission of Zambia thereby depriving it of its sense of independence, objectivity and fairness.
6. President Hichilema has engaged in systematic process to steal, kill and destroy the largest political party in Zambia, the former ruling party, the Patriotic Front party. He has installed his own surrogates as Office Bearers of the Party, displacing the legitimately and legally constituted team. He has since caused the recognition of these surrogates in Parliament masquerading as Leaders of the Opposition and illegally drawing public resources and fringe benefits. Despite the overwhelming evidence that State House is behind these sponsored schemes, he alleges that this is mere factional or internal fights in the Party, a false assertion betrayed by the evidence.
7. Consequently, he has caused the banning of participation in elections of the Patriotic Front Party and causing his surrogates to enter into alliance with his Party thereby denying millions of members of the Party from their right to associate with the Party of their own choice.
8. The Party’s Secretariat located on Corner of Lumumba/Panganani Road in Lusaka is frequently attacked and invaded by both the Zambia Police and the UPND. Party property, furniture, cars and other equipment have been frequently destroyed and damaged and personnel manning the premises have suffered brutal attacks. Since 2021, there have been several attacks on the Party Headquarters with authorities failing to arrest or prosecute anyone of the culprits.
9. He has embarked on a constitutional-making process to negatively influence the upcoming elections. This process has been rejected by almost all stakeholders including the Law Association of Zambia, Church Mother Bodies, NGOs and Civil Society Groupings.
10. Currently, our Secretary General of the Party, Hon. Raphael Nakacinda has been jailed for a speech offence and imprisoned for 18 months. He has been denied bail pending appeal and like many of the leaders in the Opposition and critics of President Hichilema, he is also facing numerous charges, like many of our leaders and members of the Opposition suffering similar fate.

All these actions go to threatens the holding of credible, democratic, free and fair elections and if not handled will threaten Zambia’s enduring peace cherished and held for decades.

We are ready to travel to Gaborone and present evidence of the matters presented in this letter for the attention of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, responsible for promoting peace, security and stability in the region.

Yours Faithfully,

SIGNED;

Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Chairperson for Information and Publicity

Member of the Central Committee

PATRIOTIC FRONT

UPND Cadres Accused of Raiding PF Secretariat

A violent attack on the Patriotic Front secretariat in Lusaka is concerning after a group believed to be UPND cadres stormed the premises on Saturday, injuring people and damaging property in an incident recorded on mobile phones and widely shared online. The group had earlier gathered at Kulima Tower bus station, where witnesses said they assembled in small groups throughout the day, some wearing masks and party-branded clothing.

The attack took place at the junction of Panganani and Lumumba roads, a location where mechanics, small-scale traders and PF members operate daily. When the convoy of motorcycles and public buses arrived, the men rushed towards the secretariat and began beating anyone in the vicinity. Mechanics said they were attacked without warning, losing tools and personal items as they tried to escape. Vendors nearby also fled after seeing people being struck repeatedly while lying on the ground.

Political commentator Dr. Lawrence Mwelwa criticised the incident, saying it revived fears linked to the Mapatizya Formula, a tactic associated with confrontational political conduct. He pointed to recent public remarks made in Bweengwa and Monze, where senior UPND figures spoke about bringing back cadre visibility and showing political strength. He said these public statements may have emboldened groups already known for confrontational behaviour.

Dr. Mwelwa also noted that the UPND had previously condemned the PF for allowing cadres to dominate public spaces during its time in office. He said the public expected a different approach from the ruling party, especially after the 2021 change of government. According to him, the return of organised groups in bus stations and markets would take the country back to conditions that citizens thought had ended.

People who live and work near the PF secretariat said the attack appeared planned. They reported that the group moved together, acted in unison and left the area quickly once the raid was completed. Mechanics who store materials near the PF office said they were beaten despite having no link to any political activity that day. A vendor who sells drinks outside the area said she ran as soon as she saw the group rush into the street.

The PF described the incident as unprovoked, stating that there was no meeting or activity at the secretariat that could have triggered a confrontation. Individuals present said they were standing outside the office when the group arrived. Some of them, who were not involved in politics, said they found themselves targeted simply because they were near the building.

Videos from the scene show several men in red attire punching and kicking people who had fallen to the ground. Other clips show men smashing items outside the secretariat and shouting as they moved through the area. The online circulation of the footage drew strong reactions from members of the public who said such scenes threatened Zambia’s political climate as the 2026 elections approach.

People familiar with operations at Kulima Tower said groups wearing political colours had been more visible in recent months. Traders at the station said they were not surprised when they heard the attackers came from that direction, as some men had been gathering there throughout the week. They said the station had once again become a place where politically aligned groups exert informal control.

Dr. Mwelwa said the responsibility to prevent a return to such behaviour lies with party leadership. He said political competition should never place citizens in danger, and that silence over these acts may create the impression that groups acting violently are protected. He added that Zambia has struggled with similar episodes in past administrations, and repeating them would weaken public confidence in institutions responsible for safeguarding political freedoms.

The attack has renewed calls for clear and firm action from both the ruling party and law enforcement. Members of the public said they want to see a visible response that discourages any group from using political affiliation to justify violent behaviour. They warned that failure to act could create an atmosphere in which intimidation becomes normal during the election period.

Newly Promoted Police Boss Urges Citizens to Back President Hichilema

During a recent working visit to Nakonde, Deputy Inspector General of Police Fred Hamaamba commended President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership, asserting that the nation is on a positive trajectory under his direction. In a meeting with district officials, DIG Hamaamba urged full public backing for the Head of State’s agenda.

The senior police officer explained that his trip to the border district was intended to align his command with the government’s development priorities and to better comprehend what he characterized as the President’s unambiguous vision for national advancement.

Hamaamba contrasted the current climate with the period preceding the 2021 general elections, stating that the administration’s reforms have yielded visible progress across multiple sectors. He contended that all citizens, irrespective of political allegiance, should recognize these gains, adding that even the government’s critics acknowledge the country’s positive shift in direction.

He openly declared his support for the President’s efforts to stabilize the nation and foster peace, attributing an improved sense of citizen welfare to what he termed committed leadership. The DIG argued that the President’s governance approach has alleviated past tensions that once fostered widespread uncertainty.

Reflecting on more challenging periods, Hamaamba recalled instances where police officers faced difficult working conditions, at times even being displaced from their homes due to political friction. He credited the current era of calm to the President’s consistent emphasis on rules-based governance and peaceful engagement, expressing a firm desire to avoid a return to former instabilities. He suggested that the continuity of the present leadership is crucial to safeguarding the stability the country now enjoys.

Shifting to operational matters, DIG Hamaamba outlined steps taken by the police command to enhance efficiency and service delivery. He noted that recent leadership changes within the service, including his own promotion and that of Charity Mung’anga to Deputy Inspector General for Administration, reflect the President’s confidence in the institution’s capacity to fulfill its mandate.

His familiarization tour, which included Mpika, Serenje, Mkushi, Chinsali, Isoka, and Nakonde, was described as essential for identifying operational gaps and assessing policing needs. He underscored the importance of close coordination between the police, local authorities, and communities to effectively maintain order and address public safety concerns.

Hamaamba concluded by calling on citizens in Nakonde and across Zambia to support the ruling party’s vision, emphasizing that such partnership is vital for sustained national progress. He urged the public to uphold peace, particularly as the nation prepares for future political activities, stating that a stable environment is the bedrock of economic development and national unity.