Zambia Media Critique

  WHILST the country is grappling with the novel Corona Virus 2019 disease with cases spiralling out of control and community deaths increasing exponentially, Zambia’s political leadership continues to prioritise actions aimed at securing their continued stay in office. Zambia’s government has taken a hard stand against opposition parties’ mobilisation and continued to increase its capacity to quell public meetings, protects, riots including peaceful assemblies. Recently Zambian youths aggrieved with the poor state of the economy and increased corruption notified the police of their intention to hold peaceful public protests. The police denied them security and deployed hundreds of police officers and riot gear across Lusaka to stop them. However, the youth out manoeuvred the police and held a protest in the bush and streamed it live on their social media platforms. News of Zambia’s vice President testing positive for COVID-19 was overshadowed by a colourful handover of mil...

EVENTS of the past two days clearly indicate that Elias Chipimo Jnr has unfinished business at the National Restoration Party (NAREP). The party he formed in 2010 has known no rest since his hurried retirement on 2nd September, 2019. Leadership wrangles and bickering seem to be the order of day in the once vibrant and promising party. Chipimo resigned from active politics to pursue interests in the private sector after acknowledging that he was too rigid with his principals which denied the party the boost that was required to grow the party. His successor businessman Steve Nyirenda assumed the presidency at an elective convention in November, 2019. The Muvi Television owner went through unopposed for the party presidency. This was after the other candidate Maybin Kabwe withdrew his candidature for the role of Presidency at the NAREP extraordinary convention. Barely nine months after assuming office Steve was kicked out of his position and hounded out of the party at the weekend. If wh...