FORMER Independent Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu left us with a warning that the Public Gatherings Bill, 2026, instead of curing the long-standing abuses under the Public Order Act, may in fact bury what remains of Zambia’s democratic freedoms. His concern is one which a lot of Zambians share. The Bill defines a public gathering as an assembly, meeting, procession or demonstration of three or more people in a public place, and says that requires prior notice to police. It further gives police officers power to restrict gatherings, creates offences for unauthorised gatherings, and imposes fines or imprisonment for non-compliance. This law does all that while claiming to promote freedom of assembly and association. It’s a mockery. Mr Mpundu...