Hichilema says Zambia must not forget violence of PF era President Hakainde Hichilema has defended his continued references to alleged political violence under the former Patriotic Front government, saying Zambians should not be prevented from remembering the country’s recent political history. Pemba, 27 July – Speaking at a rally in Pemba District on Sunday, President […]

Hichilema says Zambia must not forget violence of PF era

President Hakainde Hichilema has defended his continued references to alleged political violence under the former Patriotic Front government, saying Zambians should not be prevented from remembering the country’s recent political history.

Pemba, 27 July – Speaking at a rally in Pemba District on Sunday, President Hichilema accused opposition figures, including Brian Mundubile and his allies, of attempting to stop him from reminding voters about alleged abuses committed during the PF administration.

He said discussing events of the past should not be interpreted as an attempt to divide the country, arguing that history could not simply be erased.

“Are you being beaten? Are those in green being beaten? Here in Southern Province we used to be beaten,” President Hichilema told supporters.

He claimed that after the UPND won the 2021 general election, he intervened to prevent reprisals against PF supporters.

“PF members, please praise me, otherwise you would have been beaten when we won in 2021,” he said.

President Hichilema also referred to the deaths of UPND supporters Lawrence Banda, Joseph Kaunda and Joseph Chibulo, alleging that they were victims of political violence during the PF era

“Let’s tell the truth. They want to stop me from telling the truth,” he said, accusing his opponents of using political “tricks” to discourage him from discussing the past.

The President argued that recalling previous political events was important in helping voters make informed choices, comparing it with discussions about Zambia’s colonial history.

“History can’t be changed. Don’t we talk about what the white man did to us during the colonial era?” he asked.

He also recalled his detention at Mukobeko Maximum Security Prison and criticised the cadreism that was prevalent at markets and bus stations under the previous administration.

President Hichilema acknowledged that some incidents of intimidation and misconduct still occurred, but argued that the situation had significantly improved under his government.

“There are some who are still continuing to steal, but people are freely working in markets. We just want to work, we don’t want to fight,” he said.

The President warned voters against returning the PF or its former members to power, saying doing so risked reversing what he described as progress in restoring peace and political freedoms.

He also told supporters that national unity would be a central issue in the election, saying Zambia could only achieve sustainable development if citizens rejected tribal and regional divisions.

“The first reason why we are voting for the UPND is that we need to unite this country,” President Hichilema said.

“We have 116 districts, but one country. We have 1,858 wards, but one country. We have 13,500 polling stations, but one country.”

He used marriage as an example to argue against tribal divisions, asking supporters whether people routinely considered ethnicity when choosing whom to marry.

President Hichilema said Zambia’s 10 provinces should see themselves as part of one nation, arguing that peace and unity were necessary foundations for economic and social development.

“The number one reason we are voting for the UPND is to unite this country because unity and oneness will help us develop this country,” he said.

He accused his political opponents of having divided the country in the past and urged voters not to allow political differences to undermine national cohesion

The President also highlighted his administration’s record, pointing to free education and other government programmes as reasons voters should give the UPND another mandate.

“We are working day and night so that you live better lives,” he told the rally, adding that children were now able to attend school without paying tuition fees.

He urged Southern Province voters to back the UPND, claiming other provinces had already resolved to support the ruling party.

President Hichilema also publicly instructed an unopposed UPND council chairperson in Pemba to actively campaign for other party candidates.

He said he had received complaints from residents that the official had stayed away from campaign activities because he was already assured of his position.

“The council chairperson has already won, but he needs to join the campaigns,” President Hichilema said.

“Don’t say, ‘I am unopposed and can’t campaign,’ because the MP needs to win, the President needs to win.”

He said campaign funds were being provided regularly and urged the council chairperson to work with the rest of the UPND campaign team.

President Hichilema concluded by calling on voters to reject political violence and division, saying Zambia should remain united while pursuing development across all 10 provinces.

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