Zambia now has locally grown autocracy – OASIS Forum

The OASIS Forum has charged that instead of a colonially imposed dictatorship, Zambia now has a locally grown autocracy 54 years after independence.

OASIS Forum Chairperson Eddie Mwiitwa says instead OF ruling white elite, Zambia now has a ruling African elite that has imposed a similar system of oppression and dictatorship as the white elite.

In a statement made available to QTV News, Mr. Mwiitwa says the development of a police state has greatly contributed to the unconstitutional powers assumed by dictatorial type governance.

He is concerned that the Police service which is supposed to be a professional institution guided by the constitution and the Law is instead found to be taking instructions from the government and even directly from the ruling party.

Mr. Mwiitwa has expressed displeasure on how the police are misusing the Public Order Act where they are prohibiting and sometimes attacking public protests and opposition party meetings and even arrest people on pretext that such meetings do not have a police permit.

He has added that this contributes to the perpetual stay in power of a dictatorial government by inducing fear in the citizenry through reckless conduct of some police officers who seem to specialize in violating people’s right to lawful assembly and freedom of expression.

Mr. Mwiitwa states that there is no requirement for a police permit in the Public Order Act.