State house washes hands off Chellah Tukuta’s threats against Tonse Alliance’s musicians

State House has formally distanced the Zambian government from recent remarks attributed to presidential biographer Chellah Tukuta, which allegedly targeted and threatened musicians and artists supporting the opposition Tonse Alliance. Speaking on the emerging controversy, State House Chief Communication Specialist Clayson Hamasaka emphasized that while citizens maintain the fundamental right to freedom of expression, individual commentaries made on social media platforms must not be misconstrued as official government policy or the stance of the administration. The controversy erupted following widely circulated social media remarks by Tukuta, which drew sharp criticism from various political and civil quarters. Critics accused him of leveraging his proximity to the presidency to intimidate citizens and public figures expressing divergent political views. In response, Hamasaka sought to calm mounting public anxiety, stressing that the New Dawn administration remains steadfastly committed to democratic principles, national unity, and the tenets of 'One Zambia, One Nation.' He reiterated that every Zambian citizen retains an equal right to employment, artistic expression, and professional opportunities irrespective of their political affiliations, provided they meet the requisite statutory requirements. Furthermore, the State House spokesperson noted that supporters and affiliates of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) frequently air their personal opinions across media channels, but such utterances remain strictly individual. Analysts point out that the swift distancing by the Presidency highlights the delicate political tightrope the administration must walk as the nation navigates heightened political polarization. With the general political landscape growing increasingly tense, inflammatory rhetoric from figures perceived to be close to the corridors of power continues to attract intense public scrutiny and demands for accountability. Civi