Lusaka Mayor Mwewa: Enforce Law on Zambia Political Chants in Stadia

• Political chants were observed at two stadia in Zambia's Copperbelt region over the weekend.
• Chitambala Mwewa, the current Mayor of Lusaka, whose observations were previously published by the Lusaka Times, deemed such political displays inappropriate for football stadiums.
• Mwewa emphasized that any rules governing conduct at public gatherings must be applied equally to all individuals.
• The author questioned if this was the first time political gestures had occurred at Zambian stadia, implying a recurring issue.
• Consistent application of public order laws is highlighted as crucial for upholding the rule of law and ensuring fair political expression.

The author explicitly states that any rules governing conduct at public gatherings, including sports stadia, must be enforced uniformly across all individuals and groups.

Over the recent weekend, political chants were observed emanating from two distinct stadia located in Zambia's Copperbelt region. These incidents involved public displays of political expression occurring within venues primarily designated for sporting events, specifically football matches. The presence of such political activity at these locations prompted a notable commentary from Chitambala Mwewa, the current Mayor of Lusaka, whose observations were previously published by the Lusaka Times.

Mwewa articulated a clear stance on the appropriateness of these actions, stating a personal belief that such behavior is fundamentally unsuitable for a football stadium. The author's perspective firmly advocates for the preservation of sports venues for their intended purpose, emphasizing that football events should remain exclusively focused on the sport itself, free from external political interference or demonstrations. This view highlights a desire to maintain the integrity and atmosphere of sporting occasions.

Central to Chitambala Mwewa's critique is a foundational principle concerning the administration of public order: the absolute necessity for any applicable rules to be enforced uniformly across all individuals and groups. This assertion directly addresses the broader context of public order at sports events in Zambia, suggesting that the effectiveness and fairness of regulations hinge entirely on their consistent and non-discriminatory application. The author's argument posits that if specific conduct is deemed impermissible, the prohibition must extend to everyone without exception or favoritism.

This call for equitable enforcement is crucial for upholding the rule of law in Zambia, particularly concerning freedom of assembly and expression. Inconsistent application of public order laws risks creating an environment where certain political expressions are tolerated or even encouraged, while similar actions by other groups are met with punitive measures. Such selective enforcement could undermine public confidence in legal institutions and potentially lead to challenges regarding the fairness of the justice system, impacting the perceived freedom of political expression in the country.

The events on the Copperbelt, coupled with Mwewa's commentary, bring into sharp focus the ongoing dialogue surrounding political expression freedom in Zambia and the management of public gatherings. The author's rhetorical question about whether these are the first instances of political gestures at stadia implicitly suggests a history of such occurrences, underscoring a recurring challenge for law enforcement and event organizers. This historical context reinforces the need for clear, consistently applied policies to manage political displays in public spaces.

Maintaining a balance between citizens' rights to political expression and the need for public order, especially at large-scale events like football matches, is a delicate task. The consistent application of rules, as advocated by Mwewa, is vital not only for ensuring fairness but also for setting clear expectations for behavior. Without such consistency, there is a risk of creating an uneven playing field for political discourse, where the rule of law application in Zambia appears arbitrary, potentially leading to compliance risks for various groups and raising concerns about the true extent of freedom of assembly.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the consistent application of public order laws and regulations concerning political expression at public gatherings in Zambia. Inconsistent enforcement could create compliance risks or opportunities for challenging selective prosecution related to freedom of expression and assembly.

Source: Original reporting via Chitambala Mwewa's opinion piece.