from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – THE Zambian government has cancelled the passports of six critics of the ruling party for “security reasons in the interest of national security.”
The revocation was announced in a Government Gazette issued on Friday.
Among those whose documents have been cancelled are former Ambassador to Ethiopia and ex-Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU), Emmanuel Mwamba, and historian and academic, Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa.
Others are former Members of Parliament, Emmanuel Banda and Binwell Mpundu, as well as ex-State House aide, Kaizer Zulu, and blogger Lillian Mutambo.
“The cancelled documents are no longer valid for identification, travel or any official purpose. Any use of the cancelled documents may constitute an offence,” read the gazette.
The public, government institutions, financial institutions, border control authorities, law enforcement agencies and all other relevant institutions have been advised not to accept, recognise or rely upon the said documents.
“Any person in possession of any of the cancelled documents specified in the Schedule is required to surrender the document immediately to the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship, Immigration or Zambia Police.”
The affected citizens are some of the fiercest critics of President Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND).
This is a continuation of the crackdown by the government after Hichilema retained power in a controversial election.
Last week, the government officially cancelled the national identity documents and revoked the citizenship of opposition politician and lawyer, Celestine Mukandila.
Several opposition figures, including Hichilema’s main challenger, Brian Mundubile, are in detention on charges of treason.
– CAJ News