Zambia’s Leader Agrees to Free Political Captives

Zambian President Kenneth D. Kaunda, in a surprise offer of reconciliation to his political foes, announced Wednesday the release of all political prisoners and agreed to postpone a referendum on multi-party rule.

“I am sending a strong message of love to those who are insulting me and my colleagues to stop doing that,” he said.

The referendum previously set for Oct. 17 this year would be put off until Aug. 13, 1991, he told a news conference.

“We must start afresh and hence the need for forgiveness, the need to come together again,” Kaunda said as he announced the release of men jailed and detained for plotting to overthrow him at different periods during his 26-year rule.

Until now, Kaunda has shown no sign of making concessions to opponents calling for a multi-party political system, labeling them misfits, malcontents and drug traffickers.

Multi-party advocates had demanded a postponement of the referendum, saying millions of Zambians would be disenfranchised unless the electoral register was updated.

Among the political prisoners released is Lt. Mwamba Luchembe, the man who briefly took over Zambia Radio to broadcast news of a non-existent military takeover last month.