Zambia minister says no ban on political rallies

LUSAKA, Dec 16 (Reuters) A Zambian minister denied today that the country had banned political rallies, reversing statements made by a deputy minister which were seen as a bid to gag opposition politician Michael Sata.

Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha said in a statement that political parties wanting to hold rallies would continue to ask for police permission in line with the Public Order Act.

Shikapwasha's deputy said yesterday that Sata, who has accused President Levy Mwanawasa of rigging elections in September, had been ''sabotaging'' Zambia's security through alarming statements at his rallies and that the government had consequently banned political meetings.

''I wish to correct the impression made to the public as a result of the statement issued by the deputy minister ... the statement is misleading (and) the Zambia police will continue to act according to the public order Act,'' Shikapwasha said.

Mwanawasa said two weeks ago that Sata should not be given permission to hold public rallies if the police had prior information that his meetings would threaten the peace.

Sata, 69, was briefly detained early this month for an alleged violation of electoral rules, and Mwanawasa said last week that he was on the verge of treason.

Sata has accused Mwanawasa of betraying the poor and said he would throw out Chinese and Indian investors in the key mining sector after accusing them of exploiting workers and paying too little tax.

Although Sata lost the presidential election, his Patriotic Front won local elections in the capital Lusaka and towns in the Copperbelt mining area, the life-blood of Zambia's economy.

The Patriotic Front has vowed to pursue its own agenda in its strongholds, including imposing an independent tax regime.

REUTERS MS HT1508