State House condemns Mpundu’s alleged ‘kill or be killed’ election remarks

STATE House condemned remarks attributed to former Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu, in which he allegedly said he was ready to "kill or be killed" in this week’s election. State House Chief Communication Specialist Clayson Hamasaka said every human life is precious and that no election, political contest or disagreement is worth a single

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STATE House condemned remarks attributed to former Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu, in which he allegedly said he was ready to “kill or be killed” in this week’s election.

State House Chief Communication Specialist Clayson Hamasaka said every human life is precious and that no election, political contest or disagreement is worth a single life.

“Incitement to kill cannot be dismissed as political rhetoric,” Hamasaka said. “Where words amount to criminal incitement, the law provides serious consequences.”

He said any question of criminal liability is a matter for competent authorities and the courts.

“Two days from now, Zambians will exercise their democratic right to choose their leaders,” Hamasaka said. “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.”

Hamasaka said calls for the taking of human life must be treated with seriousness by all political leaders.

He said the events surrounding Mpundu and Tonse Alliance president Brian Mundubile are troubling, particularly after remarks of serious concern were initially attributed to artificial intelligence, before explanations shifted to acknowledgement and denial.

The two leaders have since publicly disagreed over what AI allegedly generated, with Mpundu openly rebuking his alliance president days before the election.

“Artificial intelligence did not put those words on the national stage. Leaders did. And artificial intelligence cannot take responsibility. Only leaders can do that,” Hamasaka said.

He said the country is not at a moment for political games or contradictory explanations, but for leaders to lower the political temperature, reject inflammatory language and ensure that no citizen is placed in danger for political power.

“The election will be peaceful because Zambians have chosen peace,” Hamasaka said.

“Zambia is bigger than any candidate, any party and any election. Let us protect our peace and, above all, protect human life.”

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