Have you Seen What is Written on the Back of the Zambian Passport?
A reflection 🪞 by Rev Walter Mwambazi
So recently, six prominent Zambian citizens just had their passports revoked. According to official government gazette, this was done for “security concerns”.
Whilst many may criticize and call this out as being unfair, let me remind all netizens to take a look at the words therein (picture attached) located at the last page of the passport.
I hereby reproduce those words specifically the first paragraph.
“This passport remains the property of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and may be withdrawn at any time.”
This my friends implies that government doesn’t even need to give any reasons. It’s that bad. And it is what it is.
We may gripe and groan about it, but the fact remains. 🥺
So, what lessons do we get from this? Eh… criticize the government at your own peril. It’s not nice, but that is just the fact we see here. And when government decides you are a person of special interest, then be even more cautious about what you say and do.
As to the Zambians outside our borders who find themselves in this predicament, they only have two options…
- Come back and make “peace” with the state or
- Seek asylum in those nations citing political persecution.
The choice is theirs.
For the rest, let this be a cautionary tale for us all. 😞
