“If you woke up to news of my forced disappearance or even death tomorrow, please ask the President of Zambia” is the alarming opening line of critic-cum-political-commentator Sishuwa Sishuwa’s super long post on the microblogging site X, formerly Twitter.
And, the police have confirmed investigating statements allegedly made by Sishuwa which may potentially disturb public peace and order.
In a not-so-out-of-character but still alarming post, Sishuwa who has turned into a very caustic critic of President Hakainde Hichilema, but couches his criticism as objective patriotism and love for his country, asserts that there is a scheme hatched deep in the bowels of State House essentially intended to silence him and do him harm.
Quoting “two well-placed sources in the presidency and the Zambia Police Service, Sishuwa blatantly alleges that Hichilema could do anything to him because “the man is so angry” with him. Hence, he has been advised to carefully watch his movements, and where he is.
His latest diatribe comes on the back of an interview he gave to and published in the local Mast newspaper—whose ownership and management are associated with the former Post Newspaper owner and Socialist Party founder and leader Fred M’membe—wherein he stated that Hichilema’s administration was persecuting Zambians of Northern (bemba) and Eastern origin through arrests and political offenses.
The former ruling party is Bemba/Northern and Eastern-centric. Many of those being arrested and prosecuted for fraud, corruption, sedition, hate speech, and other “politically-motivated” offenses are members of the party or have strong links and associations.
In a statement yesterday, the police announced that investigations had been instituted into sentiments allegedly attributed to Sishuwa.
“Investigations have been instituted following a report lodged by Mrs. Grace Mwanza regarding sentiments allegedly attributed to Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa in The Mast Newspaper, Issue No. 4732, dated Thursday, November 21, 2024. Mrs. Mwanza has expressed concerns that the statements allegedly made by Dr. Sishuwa could have adverse implications for public peace and order,” said Rae Hamoonga of the Zambia Police Service.
He continued, “In line with our mandate to ensure law and order, the police have commenced a thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding this matter.”
He said the police would engage the relevant stakeholders, including the
Mast Newspaper to gather facts and determine whether any laws would have been breached.
Hamoonga has advised the public to “avoid speculative conclusions as investigations are underway.”
