Political tensions in Zambia is seen as one of Africa's more stable and functional democracies, have been on the rise since the arrest of main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema on treason charges, who narrowly lost to Edgar Lungu in a bruising election last year. Meanwhile the Zambian parliament has approved a 90-day state of emergency decreed by President Edgar Lungu in a move critics say is an effort to tighten his grip on power. Opposition lawmakers boycotted the vote on Tuesday, leaving only the 85 members of the president's majority party to pass the measure.
To help us unpack and discuss this further we are joined on the line by:
1. H.E Mr Emmanuel Mwamba High Commissioner Republic of Zambia
2. Dr E Banyera Lecturer: Political Science UNISA
3. Phakamile Hlubi National Spokesperson National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA)
