THE National Assembly yesterday passed the Public Gatherings Bill amid complaints from various citizens who have described the Bill as being worse than the repealed Public Order Act. Nkana Independent MP Binwell Mpundu says the Public Gatherings Bill marks the death of Zambia’s democracy. On the other hand, Democratic Progressive Party president Antonio Mwanza argues that requiring citizens to seek permission to gather in groups of three is a shift away from democracy toward authoritarian control disguised as law and order. Adding his voice to the debate, Lusaka lawyer Simon Mwila has described the Public Gatherings Bill as “Public Order Act Pro Max”. However, Zambia’s Ambassador to Angola, Dr Elias Munshya, has defended the Bill, saying it applies only to...