Harsh hate speech law will haunt UPND – Kateka

By BARNABAS ZULU

CHISHALA Kateka, has criticised the United Party for National Development (UPND) government’s proposed changes to the country’s hate speech laws, warning that the same laws could turn against them once they are out of power.
The UPND has recently introduced a bill seeking to increase the punishment for hate speech offences, proposing sentences ranging from seven to 20 years.
But Ms. Kateka, the leader of New Heritage Party (NHP) has argued that the government should leave the laws unchanged, as creating laws with the intent to punish political opponents could backfire in the future.
“The first question we should ask is what are we trying to cure? There are already laws in place and they want to strengthen them for what? What are they trying to cure? Ms. Kateka said.
“You can only change something if it’s not worth it. One of the things that I would like to remind them is that these laws which are passed for expediency, which are aimed at punishing someone who is outside government, because you are the ones in government, is that one day you will be outside government and these same laws will visit you.”
Ms. Kateka warned that the UPND’s move could set a dangerous precedent for the future.
“So, it’s a very unfortunate thing that we are seeing. These things that you are seeing will visit you as well,” she added.
She reiterated that the Heritage Party does not support the proposed amendments to the hate speech laws, noting hat the current laws are not serving any real purpose in advancing national development.
She also criticised the UPND for what she described as misplaced priorities, urging them to focus on addressing the country’s economic challenges rather than altering existing legislation.
Ms. Kateka expressed concerns about Zambia’s political trajectory, suggesting that the country is moving closer to a one-party state.
Non conviction