The Fallacy of Blaming Social Media: Investors Flee Broken Laws, Not Bad Posts- Thandiwe Ketiš Ngoma
The Fallacy of Blaming Social Media: Investors Flee Broken Laws, Not Bad Posts
By Thandiwe Ketiš Ngoma
When President Hakainde Hichilema publicly vented his frustration, claiming that social media insults and negative online postings against him are scaring away foreign direct investment and painfully undermining his administration’s economic agenda, he misdiagnosed the problem
Blaming Facebook posts and crude tweets for capital flight is not only untruthful to the international community; it is deeply disingenuous to the Zambian people. Serious global investors—those deploying millions of dollars in capital-intensive sectors like mining, infrastructure, and energy—do not make strategic, multi-decade financial allocations based on online commentary. What truly terrifies institutional capital is the systematic erosion of the rule of law and a compromised judicial system.
Why a Compromised Judicial System Drives Capital Away
Capital demands predictability, contract enforceability, and an impartial referee. When a nation’s judiciary loses its independence, doing business transforms from a calculated commercial endeavor into an unpredictable political gamble.
The perception that Zambia’s judicial framework has been compromised under the UPND government stems from concrete institutional actions, not internet commentary:
Subversion of Constitutional Rights: Nothing illustrated the crisis of judicial independence more starkly than the physical, nationwide shutdown of superior court premises—including the High Court and Constitutional Court—precisely when main opposition leader Hon. Brian Mundubile sought to file his presidential election petition. Citing vague “security reasons,” the gates were locked, police were deployed, and litigants were turned away across Lusaka, Ndola, Chipata, and Livingstone. Blocking the physical registry on the very day a constitutional deadline expires effectively denied citizens their right to legal redress.
Executive Interference and Selective Accountability: The systematic purging of judges through the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC), alongside mass bench appointments, has fueled widespread charges of court-packing designed to secure favorable rulings for the executive branch.
Weaponization of State Agencies: Anti-corruption agencies and criminal courts operate with apparent asymmetry—aggressively pursuing opposition figures while dragging their feet on corruption allegations involving current administration allies.
For an international investor, these developments send an alarming signal. If a government can padlock court doors to block a political rival, it can just as easily use those same levers to seize private corporate assets, void commercial contracts, or dismiss legitimate corporate grievances without recourse.
When courts are closed by administrative decree or judges face dismissal for defying executive wishes, an economic ecosystem loses its structural floor. Lenders hike interest rates to hedge against sovereign legal risks, while multinational corporations divert long-term capital to neighboring markets with stable institutional protections.
The Double Standard: State-Sponsored Propaganda Platforms
President Hichilema’s outrage over online toxicity is further weakened by his administration’s selective response to online behavior.
If the government were genuinely intent on fostering a civil digital discourse to safeguard national prestige, it would address state-aligned digital channels. State House operatives and ruling party zealots continue to run aggressive propaganda outlets, such as Koswe and Zambian Watchdog. These platforms operate around the clock to libel, insult, and character-assassinate political opponents, civic actors, and government critics.
The administration cannot quietly tolerate state-backed digital attack dogs targeting critics, while simultaneously claiming that public criticism on social media constitutes an economic sabotage against the state.
Restoring Investor Confidence Through Real Reform
Investors do not look for a nation where the Head of State receives constant praise on digital platforms. They look for countries where:
Constitutional rights are protected by an accessible, independent bench.
Courts remain open and functional during legal disputes, regardless of the political stakes.
Commercial contracts and corporate assets are safeguarded from political interference.
If the UPND administration wants to secure sustained capital inflows and realize its economic vision, it must stop pointing at social media commentary. Sustainable economic growth requires ending executive overreach, guaranteeing open access to the courts, and restoring genuine judicial independence to Zambia.