HH, A MAN WHO SEEMS NOT TO LISTEN TO HIS CONSCIENCE

HAKAINDE Hichilema heads one of our two major political parties in this country. In a democracy, UPND is supposed to be the party in waiting to form a government at any opportune time and therefore its leadership is supposed to offer inspiring leadership by providing constructive criticism, which regrettably is not the case until now. We still see arrogance, hate speeches and insulting language. These values which belong to the powers of darkness do not inspire us.

The Daily Nation of Tuesday July 19 2016 prior to the 2016 general elections, Mr Hichilema is quoted as having told a campaign rally in Siavonga to shun the referendum. Addressing a rally at Michael grounds in Siavonga on Saturday, Mr Hichilema told his supporters” to ignore those who were coercing them to take part in the referendum because it had no use and was a waste of time.”

“Listen very carefully after casting your vote on 11th August 2016, please go home and rest. Do not waste your time in taking part in the PF referendum.”

Is it true that if the referendum had succeeded, only PF were going to benefit? When he was behind bars, we saw his lawyers applying for a writ of Habeas corpus, which was one of key provision of the referendum. Something that he had rejected during the campaign. This is how hypocritical Mr Hichilema is.

Soon after his release from those dilapidated prison, he was reported that he would now champaion human rights of those in prison. This is good Mr Hichilema - but please do not be selective in your approach. Those non Tonga- speaking Zambians whose houses were torched in Namwala during the campaign have not recovered from that experience – you owe them an apology.

You may not realise how important that apology is to the unity of this country. The word, “apology” is associated with holiness, particularly if it comes from deep down one’s heart. Unfortunately very few of us find the need to apologise, as a worthwhile undertaking. To apologise, to say “I am sorry” draws us closer to God our creator. This is how important to apologise is. Mr Hichilema and some of his supporters seem to have forgotten some aspects of the political history of this country and need to be reminded and here is a reflection on some aspects of our history.

In 2001 the late Dr Frederick Chiluba had his immunity removed, arrested and for close to five years, he spent the time going to court. We never heard the people of Luapula complain that Dr Chiluba was being victimised. The great people of Luapula chose to let the law take its course and indeed, they were justified and Dr Chiluba was acquitted. The people of Luapula never did anything negative, because they believed that Zambia is much bigger than one individual Dr Chiluba.

The late Michael Sata was arrested and spent 45 days in prison. The people of Northern and Muchinga provinces never took up arms. They, like their colleagues from Luapula chose to let the law take its course, because they also believed that Zambia was much bigger than one individual - Michael Sata.

In 2012, Mr Rupiah Banda had his immunity removed and arrested and spent close to two years trekking to court, until he was acquitted. The people of Eastern Province, like their colleages in Luapula, Northern and Muchinga also chose to let the law take its course and Rupiah Banda was acquitted. This kind of maturity in looking at national issues, displayed by the four provinces, need to be emulated and acknowledged. I make no apology to anybody for saluting the four provinces. I make no apology to anybody by appealing to our brothers and sisters from Southern Province to do a serious reflection as regards the recent events in our country.