135 Views Former Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu who serves as Chairperson for Presidential Affairs in President Brian Mundubile’s office has announced that the government has disrupted the NRPUP fundraising platform. Mpundu made the announcement in an update posted on his social media handle on Sunday, hours after the party said it had raised […]

135 Views

Former Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu who serves as Chairperson for Presidential Affairs in President Brian Mundubile’s office has announced that the government has disrupted the NRPUP fundraising platform.

Mpundu made the announcement in an update posted on his social media handle on Sunday, hours after the party said it had raised over K860,000 in cash and K2.8 million in pledges within 24 hours of launching the drive.

He thanked Zambians at home and abroad who contributed to the campaign, and said the response showed the level of support for Mundubile ahead of the general elections in 10 days.

According to Mpundu, the disruption of the platform was deliberate and aimed at frustrating the party’s efforts to fund its campaign. He did not give details on how the platform was interfered with, but said the team was already working to restore access and to provide the public with alternative ways to send contributions.

“Soon the public will be informed on the platform to use to send their contributions to the Brian Mundubile campaign,” he said. “We will not be intimidated. The will of the people cannot be blocked by those in power.”

Mpundu also issued a warning to what he described as individuals still scheming to manipulate the results of the upcoming election. He said any attempt to tamper with the people’s will would have consequences.

“To those still scheming to manipulate the results and tamper with the people’s will, you will have yourselves to blame,” he said. “Zambians have made up their minds and no amount of sabotage will change that.”

He said Mundubile had asked him to convey gratitude to all those who donated within the first day of the fundraising launch. The party earlier announced that the donations came from marketeers, farmers, transport operators, students, nurses, teachers, miners, business owners and members of the diaspora.

The fundraising drive was launched after President Hakainde Hichilema publicly mocked Mundubile during a rally, telling him to apply for Constituency Development Funds instead of asking the public for money. Mundubile responded by opening a public donation platform and within a day reported the K860,000 cash and K2.8 million in pledges.

The exchange has become one of the talking points of the campaign in its final week. President Hichilema has been using rallies across the country to announce recruitment and development projects, while Mundubile has been attacking the government on transparency, cost of living and what he calls the politicization of public service.

The National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity, NRPUP, has positioned itself as the main challenger to the incumbent in what analysts describe as a hotly contested poll. President Hichilema is seeking a second term after serving one term in office. Mundubile, who is leading the newly energized opposition alliance, has drawn large crowds in Lusaka, Copperbelt and parts of North Western Province.

Meanwhile, reactions to the campaign have also come from within communities. Proud Sichaba, popularly known as Doctor Proud of Garden and a member of a local praise team, said in a separate social media post that the election was already decided.

“Hichilema has already won, we are just waiting for inauguration,” Sichaba said.

His comment drew both support and criticism online, with many users arguing that it was too early to make such declarations with 10 days to go.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has urged all political players to remain peaceful as campaigns enter the final stretch. Church and civil society groups have also called for calm, warning that tensions are rising in some areas.

Analysts say the election will be decided by voters’ assessment of the economy, jobs, health service delivery and the cost of living. With unemployment high and prices of basic commodities still a major concern, both the President and his challenger have made economic relief central to their closing messages.

For NRPUP, the fundraising disruption claim adds to its narrative that the playing field is not level. For the ruling party, the focus remains on telling voters that projects started must be completed and that continuity is safer than change.

As Zambia counts down to polling day, the campaigns are no longer about big rallies alone. They are about money, organization and the ability to get messages to voters in markets, compounds and rural areas.

Mpundu said the party will announce a new donation channel in the coming hours and urged supporters to remain vigilant and to keep mobilizing.

“Do not be discouraged,” he said. “This campaign belongs to the people and the people will decide.”

Zambia goes to the polls in 10 days in an election that is expected to be closely watched across the region.