Johannesburg – The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has condemned Zambia’s government and its leadership under President Hakainde Hichilema, for arresting Dr. Fred M’membe, the leader of the Socialist Party (SP).
The outspoken politician, Dr. M’membe, was arrested on Tuesday by police in Lusaka over comments he made that were regarded as “inciting an insurrection”.
The arrest of Dr. M’membe follows a series of events and statements that have raised concerns regarding freedom of expression and political pluralism in Zambia.
Dr. M’membe was arrested and detained by the Zambian Police for over 12 hours before he was released from the Woodlands Police Station.
“It is our view that this action by the Zambian government is a form of intimidation, and is designed to silence Dr. M’membe and stop his political activities,” said NUMSA General Secretary Irvin Jim.
In June, NUMSA issued a statement warning that the Zambian government was planning to arrest Comrade Fred M’membe and jail him on trumped-up charges.
“It is clear that the Zambian government of President Hichilema is fast waking up to the democratic threat to their power that the Socialist Party of Zambia and Dr. M’membe now pose,” said Jim.
The Inspector General of the Zambian Police Graphael Musambay issued a statement accusing Dr. M’membe of instigating a rebellion using the Socialist Party of Zambia.
“The Zambia Police Service is mandated with the responsibility of maintaining law and order in the country and detection of crime among others,” said Musambay.
“As such we cannot sit and watch while an individual whose utterances are hell-bent on causing anarchy in the country (sic).
“As Zambia Police Service, we want to put it on record that we will not allow such schemes which everyone else equally abhors. If he knows what is good for him, better he quits forthwith while he can.”
Commenting on his arrest, the former newspaper editor Dr. M’membe said in a post on social media: “The exaggerated zeal and partisanship being displayed is totally unnecessary, especially when serving under a directionless, unstable, and one-term government such as this one”.
NUMSA concurred saying it stands in solidarity with “Comrade Fred” and the Socialist Party of Zambia.
“We demand an end to police harassment of Dr. Fred M’membe and his immediate family and the withdrawal of the fake charges he is facing,” Jim said.
“We demand that President Hichilema must stop his senseless and ruthless attacks and harassment of members of opposition parties.”
