Zambia’s Minister Denies Muzzling Media

Zambia’s minister of information Cornelius Mtweeta says freedom of speech and press are vibrant under the government of President Hakainde Hichilema. However, Mweetwa says the two are not “carte blanche,” or without restrictions. His comment comes after archbishop emeritus Telesphore Mpundu last week warned of what he called “emerging authoritarian tendencies” under President Hichilema’s government. The archbishop said in a statement that Zambians are living in a police state where their freedom of assembly and association are at the mercy of the state police. He specifically cited as an example former President Edgar Lungu, who, he says, has no freedom of movement. Mweetwa tells VOA’s James Butty the former president is a state asset who is monitored by the state for security reasons.