Open Letter to the President of Zambia, H.E. Hakainde Hichilema

Subject: Call for the Immediate Release of Journalist Thomas Allan Zgambo  

Your Excellency,  

I am writing as the executive director of the Sassoufit Collective, an organization committed to justice, press freedom, and human rights. While Zambia has rightly earned a reputation as a democratic leader in sub-Saharan Africa under your presidency, the ongoing detention of journalist Thomas Allan Zgambo poses a serious challenge to this image. His prolonged detention without due process contravenes both domestic laws and international human rights conventions to which Zambia is a signatory.  

Mr. Zgambo has now spent weeks in police custody despite the availability of four sureties ready to meet his bond requirements. According to Zambian law, individuals charged with bailable offenses must be either released within 48 hours or promptly presented before a court. Yet, Mr. Zgambo’s bail hearing has been delayed until November 14, forcing him to endure nearly a month of detention without trial. This denial of justice violates the Constitution of Zambia, specifically Article 18, which guarantees the right to a fair and timely trial. Additionally, Article 13 protects against arbitrary detention by ensuring that no person shall be deprived of liberty unless all legal safeguards are respected.  

On the international front, Zambia’s actions are inconsistent with its obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)—both of which guarantee the right to freedom of expression, fair trial, and protection from arbitrary detention. Zambia, as a signatory, has committed to upholding these principles, ensuring that individuals like Mr. Zgambo are treated relatively under the law, no matter their profession or whom they may have offended in the course of their work.  

The deliberate delays by law enforcement in granting bail not only undermine Zambia’s legal system but also risk setting a troubling precedent. It is deeply concerning to hear that officials within the system have suggested Mr. Zgambo should remain detained as punishment for his reporting. Journalism, your Excellency, is not a crime; it is a cornerstone of democracy. A free press ensures accountability and transparency—values that are central to your government’s mission and essential for maintaining public trust.  

Your Excellency, Zambia’s democratic journey has inspired the region. Your leadership is seen as evidence that African governments can uphold press freedom, human rights, and the rule of law even in challenging circumstances. However, Mr. Zgambo’s unlawful detention places these hard-won gains at risk. While this arrest is undeniably a blemish on Zambia’s democratic record, it is one that can be corrected with swift and decisive action. By ensuring Mr. Zgambo’s immediate release and holding those responsible for the legal delays accountable, your government would reaffirm Zambia’s commitment to the rule of law and bolster international confidence in its institutions.  

A just resolution to this matter would benefit Zambia greatly. Securing Mr. Zgambo’s release would send a powerful message to the international community that Zambia remains steadfast in its democratic commitments. It would enhance investor confidence and solidify Zambia’s standing among regional and global partners as a leader in upholding human rights and press freedoms. Moreover, it would inspire trust within Zambia by showing that your administration will not tolerate arbitrary actions by law enforcement or the use of detention to silence dissent.  

We remain hopeful that your government will ensure that law enforcement follows the legal process without further delays.  

Your Excellency, the world is watching, and African youth are watching, too. Don’t pass up this opportunity to demonstrate that Zambia’s democracy is more than just rhetoric—that it is anchored in respect for the rule of law, accountability, and human rights. I trust that your leadership will rise to meet this moment. To err is human; to persevere is diabolical.

I respectfully urge you to intervene immediately and secure the release of Thomas Allan Zgambo.  

Yours in solidarity,  

Andrea Ngombet
African Human Rights Advocate  
Stanford Draper Hill Fellow
NED Reagan Fascell Fellow