You have no clue what a dictatorship is, Rev Mwambazi tells opposition
A PROMINENT Zambian clergyman has told opposition elements who claim that Zambia is turning into a dictatorship that they have absolutely no idea what it means to live in one.
Posting on his Facebook page, Reverend Walter Mwambazi argued that those who accuse the government of drifting towards authoritarian rule are greatly exaggerating and do not understand the realities of countries where dissent is met with harsh consequences.
In his strongly worded post, Rev Mwambazi cautioned that Zambians enjoy freedoms that would be unthinkable in other African nations known for their strict political climates.
“People who think Zambia is turning into a dictatorship have absolutely no clue what it means to live in one!” wrote Rev Mwambazi.
“Try what you do here in a nation like Rwanda or Uganda and see what happens to you!”
The outspoken cleric insisted that Zambia still enjoys wide democratic space, noting that citizens frequently speak against leaders, including the President, without facing the severe reprisals seen elsewhere.
Mwambazi added that countries often cited in comparison to Zambia operate under systems where political criticism can attract immediate arrest or worse, arguing that such environments cannot be equated to Zambia’s situation.
“All who support dictatorship have never lived in one. No free speech, no opposition, disappearances, extrajudicial killings, lawless ruling elite, no social media, no free press, paranoia of state security, lengthy arrests with no charges! Easy to praise when you are not in such a country. Be grateful for good governance and rule of law,” he added.
The post triggered an outpouring of reactions from followers, many of whom supported Mwambazi’s stance.
One user remarked that some Zambians only repeat the word “dictatorship” without understanding its meaning.
“They just heard the word somewhere and they thought… well… we can all use it. They have no idea,” the user commented.
By George Musonda
Kalemba February 3, 2026
Tell them, they don’t know who a dictator is because they have never seen one. Let them pray hard to God, may be one day he will give them one. But God forbid because many innocent lives will suffer and lose their lives. These people don’t even need to go very far to Rwanda or Uganda, we have our nearest neighbor across our Southern borders, there they can’t do or say the nonsense they say and do here. HH has given them too much freedom which they are busy abusing everyday that passes. For example, someone said ECZ has put up a fake polling station along Lilayi road and when he is reported and summoned by the Police, he fails to prove his allegations. Is that dictatorship? That person was reported by ECZ the accused and not by the President. Then there are others who were peddling lies that the president is sick hence his long absence and yet the president was busy working at his farm in Choma. Lies and propaganda are not human rights, they are sin. Lies are a sin not only to God but your fellow man as well, the Bible is very clear on that one.
Maybe freedom is dictatorship in another language.
We have tribalism, selective justice, highest cost of living on record, and gross corruption. We also have a man that lies every time he opens his mouth. We have a man obsessed with dead bodies. He is a psychopath.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
Keep on crying banyamulenga from Katanga/Tanzania.You are just one useless chap dreaming of coming back to steal from where you left.It will never happen again.Go back to your home country