By Francis Chipalo
Organised People’s Party (OPP) President and 2026 presidential candidate Dr. Brian Mushimba says the Public Order Act, in its current form, does not support Zambia’s democratic dispensation as a nation.
Dr. Mushimba argues that the Act is a colonial law that deliberately targeted indigenous black people by restricting their freedom of assembly, gatherings and free association.
He said the law, by its nature, conflicts with the Bill of Rights and Zambia’s Constitution, which enshrine all manner of freedoms for citizens.
Dr. Mushimba said the UPND government should have repealed the Act entirely instead of seeking to amend it, especially since the party opposed it while in opposition.
“The police have tools and techniques to control anyone who is unruly. We do not need the Public Order Act,” he said.
The OPP leader further described the rejection of the Public Gatherings Bill amendment as timely.
He added that what President Hakainde Hichilema’s government should have done in its five years in office was to completely scrap the Public Order Act and restore the dignity and freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
Dr. Mushimba said an OPP government, once elected after the 13th August general elections, would ensure all freedoms that people must enjoy are protected without compromise.
