Undermining Press Freedom: The Repeated Detention of Thomas Allan Zgambo

October 18, 2024 – Zambia –

Investigative journalist Thomas Allan Zgambo was arrested at a Lusaka mall and detained at Ridgeway Police Station without formal charges—his third arrest in a year, highlighting systematic judicial harassment. Zgambo, known for his writing on the Zambia Whistleblower website, was targeted after publishing an article seen as critical of senior government figures. Authorities alleged criminal libel and cybercrime, though CPJ noted he remained uncharged when first detained.

Amnesty International swiftly demanded Zgambo’s immediate and unconditional release, reaffirming that “journalism is not a crime” and reminding Zambia of its constitutional duty to uphold freedom of expression. The arrest occurred shortly after President Hichilema’s public statements pledging media freedoms, raising concerns over widening state intolerance toward dissenting voices.

Zgambo’s history of arrests reflects a clear pattern: in August 2024, he was detained for two days under sedition charges over a critical Facebook post demanding transparency from the government regarding the rental of property allegedly tied to the president. In November 2023, he was arrested for similar reasons—auditing maize imports by the Zambia National Service—and faced potential sentences of up to seven years under colonial-era sedition and libel statutes.

Human Rights Watch and CPJ have condemned this “judicial harassment,” arguing it belies Hichilema’s democratic promises and undermines public trust in Zambia’s governance. After being held nearly two weeks in October, Zgambo was charged with criminal libel and cybercrime and granted bail on October 31.

Zgambo’s ordeal encapsulates Zambia’s broader struggle with press freedom. Despite constitutional protections and international commitments—under the African Charter and ICCPR—laws on sedition and defamation are being wielded to intimidate media critics. With political tension rising and repressive legislation looming, Zambia risks backsliding on human rights.

Reference – 

https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/10/zambia-urged-to-release-journalist-amid-deteriorating-press-freedom-and-human-rights-concerns/

Zambian journalist Thomas Zgambo arrested for 3rd time in a year 

Zambia: Authorities must immediately release arrested journalist Thomas Allan Zgambo