Felix Mutati, Zambia's science and technology minister.

A crackdown on cyber space misconduct in Zambia is generating a rift between the government and its critics, who accuse it of censorship.

This week, President Hakainde Hichilema's administration cracked down on offenders of hate speech, propaganda, defamation, and child abuse online.

The warning was issued during a joint news briefing by Felix Mutati, minister of science and technology, and his counterpart in home affairs and internal security, Jack Mwiimbu.

The government has used Section 54 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act Number 2 of 2021 to deal with the perpetrators.

This law, among other things, requires anyone guilty of such acts to serve a five-year prison sentence.

WhatsApp group admins have been instructed to moderate postings or face legal consequences for any such information published.

Chitati stated that the government was investing in cyber infrastructure to detect individuals distributing false information and perpetrators of scams.

However, others accuse the government of using the act to suppress dissent.

Musa Mwenye, the former attorney general and president of the Law Association of Zambia, is among many who have spoken out against the Zambian government's move.

“Although I, myself, have been subjected to online malice, I would caution against over regulation of social media in a manner that stifles genuine criticism and valid social commentary,” Mwenye said.

This comes amid allegations that Hichilema's leadership is becoming more autocratic as the Southern African country faces economic and political challenges.

Michael Kaingu, the former community development and social welfare minister, said, “We shouldn't allow democracy to be taken away by United Party for National Development (UPND).”

President Hichilema's political party, the UPND, won power in 2021 after defeating former President Edgar Lungu's Patriotic Front..

Tempers are mounting between the two men and their respective parties ahead of the 2026 national elections.