By Amos Sikaonga 
By Amos Sikaonga
Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has called for restraint in the use of criminal defamation laws in circumstances where public interest reporting or whistle-blower disclosures are involved.
The call follows the arrest and detention of Cleaning Association of Zambia (CAZ) President Lawrence Makumbi,regarding reports of Libel lodged by Fanwell Siandenge and Zambia Airports Corporation Board Chairperson, Zenyanji Sinkala.
Mr. Makumbi is facing two counts of criminal libel following public commentaries he made on Facebook regarding alleged procurement irregularities at Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL).
Commenting on the development, TI-Z Executive Director Maurice Nyambe also also urged the government to expedite the amendment of the Public Interest Disclosure, also known as the Protection of Whistle-blowers Act No. 4 of 2010 in order to safeguard those who expose suspected wrongdoing in good faith.
Mr. Nyambe stressed the need to strengthen oversight of public procurement in all parastatals, ensuring that taxpayer funds are used transparently and efficiently.
He expressed the Organization’s concern on Mr. Makumbi’s arrest and detention, who is currently being held at Ridgeway Police Station in Lusaka.
Mr. Nyambe noted that Mr. Makumbi’s statements were made in his capacity as Chairperson of an industry stakeholder association, and not in his personal capacity.
He said this case raises serious concerns about the use of criminal charges to respond to matters that could be addressed through open and meaningful dialogue or civil recourse.
“According to publicly available information, the 2023 Auditor General’s Report on Parastatals flagged several irregularities at ZACL, highlighting the need for institutional accountability.”
“Additionally, a recent coverage by Hot FM’s Red Hot Breakfast Show brought to light a controversial K22 million contract awarded by ZACL to Caribian Investment Limited, a company reportedly lacking traceable experience in the cleaning sector,” Mr. Nyambe stated.
According to Mr. Nyambe, Caribian Investment Limited was reportedly the highest bidder for a contract to provide cleaning services at Zambia’s international airports, raising serious concerns about the transparency and cost-effectiveness of the procurement process.
“These circumstances have fueled public interest and concern, prompting civil society and the media to call for further scrutiny and accountability,” he noted.
He further said TI-Z does not take a position on the truthfulness or legality of the statements made by Mr. Makumbi, nor does it make any pronouncement regarding the Zambia Airports Corporation or its Board Chairperson.
“We are deeply concerned about the broader implications this case has for whistle-blower protection and the use of criminal law to respond to public interest discourse,” he stressed.
Mr. Nyambe noted that the escalation from civil to criminal proceedings risks setting a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression and anti-corruption efforts in Zambia.
According to Police Public Relations Officer Rae Hamoonga, Mr. Makumbi was apprehended and has since been formally charged with two counts of Libel contrary to Section 191 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Cecilia Chiluba