Binwell’s ‘ready to kill’ remarks must not be ignored – State House

STATE HOUSE says political party leaders must treat Binwell Mpundu’s “ready to kill” statement with the seriousness it deserves. State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka says statements of “inciting to kill” is not just political rhetoric to be shrugged off. On Sunday, Tonse Alliance Presidential Affairs Chairman Mpundu posted a video on his Facebook […]

STATE HOUSE says political party leaders must treat Binwell Mpundu’s “ready to kill” statement with the seriousness it deserves.

State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka says statements of “inciting to kill” is not just political rhetoric to be shrugged off.

On Sunday, Tonse Alliance Presidential Affairs Chairman Mpundu posted a video on his Facebook page, saying he is ready to “die” or “kill” over tomorrow’s polls, remarks which he later claimed in a statement, were AI-generated after police took interest.

NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile further called on Zambians to ignore Mpundu’s video, branding it as AI-generated.

However, on Monday, Mpundu posted another video justifying his remarks, saying they were more of “self-defense” and “rebuked” his media team for saying his statement was AI-generated.

In a statement, Tuesday, Hamasaka said the law provides for serious consequences in matters of criminal liability

“Two days from now, Zambians will exercise their democratic right to choose their leaders. We are encouraged that the culture of electoral violence, intimidation and hate speech that scarred past elections has been overwhelmingly rejected by the Zambian people in this campaign. That peace must now be protected through the final hours. Every human life is precious. No election, no political contest, no disagreement is worth a single life. Incitement to kill is not political rhetoric to be shrugged off. Where words amount to criminal incitement, the law provides serious consequences, and any question of criminal liability is properly a matter for the competent authorities and the courts. But the moral question belongs to all of us, and it is not complicated. Calls for the taking of human life must be treated with the gravity they deserve, by every leader, of every party,” he stated.

“It is against this standard that the events surrounding former Nkana MP, Mr Binwell Mpundu and Tonse Alliance President Mr Brian Mundubile are so troubling. Remarks of extraordinary seriousness were first blamed on Artificial Intelligence (AI). That explanation then shifted. Denial gave way to acknowledgement. And the two leaders have now turned publicly on each other, quarrelling over what a machine supposedly did or did not generate, with Mr Mpundu openly rebuking his own alliance president days before the nation votes”.

Hamasaka said leaders must reject inflammatory language and ensure that no citizen is placed in danger for the sake of political power.

“Zambians are watching a leadership that cannot give one straight answer about language touching on human life. Artificial intelligence did not put those words on the national stage. Leaders did. And artificial intelligence cannot take responsibility. Only leaders can do that. This is not the moment for political games or contradictory explanations. It is the moment for every political leader, without exception and regardless of party, to lower the temperature, reject inflammatory language unequivocally, and ensure that no citizen is placed in danger for the sake of political power. The 2026 election will be peaceful, because the Zambian people have chosen peace. Zambia is bigger than any candidate, any party and any election. Let us protect our peace and, above all, protect human life,” stated Hamasaka.