Event Summary
A planned overnight prayer gathering scheduled to take place at OYDC Zambia – Sports Development Centre, a mini sports stadium on the eve of Zambia’s 61st Independence Day, was cancelled, sparking widespread commentary and public concern. Initial reports circulating on social and independent media platforms claimed that the police had stormed the venue and forcibly cancelled the event. However, according to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Media, Thabo Kawana during an interview on the Hot FM radio, the police did not cancel the gathering but the church leadership itself decided to postpone the event after receiving a formal advisory from the Zambia Police, which recommended rescheduling the gathering due to heightened national security operations and state functions, including the flag hoisting ceremony and presidential banquet. He emphasised that President Hakainde Hichilema respects freedom of worship and that there was no government intention to interfere with religious gatherings. Despite this clarification, public debate remains divided, with some insisting the advisory constituted indirect pressure that influenced the church’s decision.