JERE CALLS FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION AFTER ELECTIONS

JERE CALLS FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION AFTER ELECTIONS ….saying moving forward should not mean forgetting the grievances and questions that have emerged from the electoral period Livingstone… Wednesday August 26, 2026 (SMART EAGLES) Tonse Pamodzi Alliance Southern Province Presidential Campaign Coordinator Ronnie Jere has called for truth, justice and reconciliation in the aftermath of […]

JERE CALLS FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION AFTER ELECTIONS

….saying moving forward should not mean forgetting the grievances and questions that have emerged from the electoral period

Livingstone… Wednesday August 26, 2026 (SMART EAGLES)

Tonse Pamodzi Alliance Southern Province Presidential Campaign Coordinator Ronnie Jere has called for truth, justice and reconciliation in the aftermath of the August 13 elections, saying moving forward should not mean forgetting the grievances and questions that have emerged from the electoral period.

Mr. Jere said while Zambia needed peace and political stability, national healing could only be achieved if concerns surrounding alleged electoral irregularities, political vi0lence, arrests and the d€ath of Mutotwe Kafwaya were addressed through credible and impartial processes.

“Moving forward is important, but it should not mean forgetting legitimate questions or ignoring those who lost loved ones, freedom or property,” Mr. Jere said.

He said allegations of wrongdoing should be subjected to evidence and lawful processes rather than political arguments or speculation.

“Seeking answers is not destabilisation, but allegations must also be tested through lawful processes,” he stated.

Mr  Jere said the circumstances surrounding Hon. Kafwaya’s death should be independently established, arguing that the truth should not be viewed as belonging to either the ruling party or the opposition.

“Where a life has been lost, the circumstances surrounding that death deserve to be established as clearly and independently as possible. The truth should not belong to one political side or another; it should belong to the people of Zambia,”  he emphasized.

On the detention and prosecution of opposition supporters and other individuals, Mr. Jere said the cases deserved national attention but cautioned against prejudging those before the courts.

He further emphasised the importance of the presumption of innocence, saying each case should be determined on the basis of evidence and due process.

“If evidence exists, it should be tested in court. If it is insufficient, the law should provide the appropriate remedy,” Mr. Jere indicated.

He acknowledged the State’s responsibility to address genuine security threats but said such powers must be exercised within the law and with respect for constitutional rights.

Mr. Jere also cautioned against the politicisation of treason charges, describing treason as one of the most serious allegations that can be brought against a citizen.

“Treason is among the most serious allegations that can be brought against a citizen. It should therefore never become merely a political label,” he said.

He said questions surrounding charges, evidence and arrests were legitimate, but the courts should be allowed to independently determine guilt or innocence.

“Our greatest protection is the law,” Jere stated.

Mr. Jere further appealed to both government supporters and opposition members to resist political rhetoric that dehumanises opponents, saying political differences should not undermine the country’s shared identity.

“Government supporters and opposition members are all Zambians,” he added.

He said political disagreements should not become a contest over who was more patriotic or who deserved to belong to Zambia.

“After every election, we remain neighbours, relatives, colleagues, church members and citizens of one country,” Jere indicated.

He further said Zambia needed both peace and justice, arguing that while peace was necessary to prevent continued political conflict, peace without accountability could leave unresolved grievances that might resurface in future.

“Peace is necessary because Zambia cannot afford endless political conflict. Justice is necessary because peace without accountability can leave wounds that may eventually reopen,” he said.

He called for credible and impartial investigations, respect for the independence of the courts and responsible leadership from political parties and their supporters.

Mr. Jere further emphasized that reconciliation should not be interpreted as an attempt to silence people with genuine grievances.

He said citizens should be able to ask difficult questions peacefully, demand credible investigations without seeking revenge, and support individuals facing prosecution while respecting the judicial process.

Reflecting on his own involvement in politics, Mr. Jere said his participation in the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance had given him an understanding of the commitment and emotional investment citizens make in elections.

“As someone who participated in the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance and served as the Southern Province Presidential Campaign Coordinator, I understand the commitment, sacrifice and emotional investment that people make in politics,” he stated.

Mr. Jere said telling people who believed they had suffered an injustice to simply “move on” could be difficult, but maintained that the country could move forward without forgetting.

He said Zambians could remember those who had di€d without allowing their d€aths to become a catalyst for further violence.

“Zambia belongs to all of us,” he stated.

He urged Zambians to continue protecting democracy, constitutionalism, justice and national unity beyond the election period.

“Let us therefore move forward — not by forgetting, but by seeking truth; not through revenge, but through justice; not through hatred, but through reconciliation; and not through silence, but through peaceful and lawful accountability,” Mr. Jere said.

He said such an approach could provide a foundation for healing following the political and emotional impact of the elections.

“Perhaps that is how a wounded nation begins to heal,” he concluded.