HH: I will never stop talking about past atrocities… defends constant reminders of past regimes abuses By DAVID KANDUZA PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has strongly defended his consistent reminders of the harsh treatment he and his supporters faced under the former Patriotic Front (PF) regime, stating that exposing past evils does not make him tribal or […]

HH: I will never stop talking about past atrocities
… defends constant reminders of past regimes abuses

By DAVID KANDUZA
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has strongly defended his consistent reminders of the harsh treatment he and his supporters faced under the former Patriotic Front (PF) regime, stating that exposing past evils does not make him tribal or d ecivisive.

Speaking during a high-stakes campaign trail across Southern Province—with stops in Pemba, Gwembe, Sinazongwe and Mapatizya—the Head of State fired back at critics of his campaign message.

He asserted that those uncomfortable with his statements were simply guilty of the atrocities they committed.

President Hichilema recalled his own experience of being arrested 15 times and exposed to filthy prison conditions.

He highlighted the suffering of  the UPND sympathisers who were targeted simply for wearing party regalia, alongside citizens harassed in markets and bus stops.

The President vowed that such political lawlessness would never happen under his rule.

He urged voters not to look back but to reject opposition leaders contesting on different tickets.

Mr Hichilema also issued a stern warning to UPND party officials covertly backing independent candidates, ordering them to vacate their positions immediately.

Reaffirming his commitment to equitable national development, President Hichilema outlined localised developmental blueprints financed through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and national treasurry

In Pemba the President, promised the rehabilitation of the vital Kasiya Road, expansion of farming sector support and a guarantee that free education was here to stay.

He also announced that all community volunteers would be formally engaged by the government next month.

In Gwembe,  Mr Hichilema pledged to attract foreign investors to spur local jobs, alongside constructing a skills training centre expanding feeder roads, building a Level one hospital, and rehabilitating the local mortuary.

In Sinazongwe, Mr Hichilema announced the reopening of Nkadabwe and Column mines to create jobs.

He said infrastructure plans would include a new district hospital, the construction of the Bottom Road, border-linked roads, a skills school and sports facilities.

Mr Hichilema promised small-scale vegetable farmers of new dams and irrigation schemes.

In Mapatizya, the President committed to connecting the area to the national electricity grid, building a skills college, constructing a new police station to combat cattle rustling, and building a Food Reserve Agency (FRA) maize sheds.

The President confirmed that across all these sectors, volunteer teachers and health personnel would be permanently absorbed into the Government payroll.

Addressing broader economic challenges, the President assured citizens that his administration was working around the clock to lower the cost of living.

He emphasised that equal distribution of the CDF, social cash transfer and cash-for-work programmes ensure no district was left behind.