Security must study UPND statements, says Canisius

By AARON CHIYANZO

THE recent statements by the United Party for National Development (UPND) comparing political events in Zimbabwe and Zambia bordering on treason must be studied carefully by the security wings.

Former UPND vice president for politics, Canisius Banda said the statement from the opposition party wishing what happened in Zimbabwe could be replicated here calls for concern.

Dr Banda said the UPND ought to be appropriately sanctioned for conduct unbecoming of a political party.

The UPND was referring to events in neighbouring Zimbabwe in which the former President, Robert Mugabe was forced to resign by the army in what could be termed as a coup.

And UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema said that Zambians should wake up and emulate their neighbours (Zimbabweans), instigating citizens to rise against President Edgar Lungu.

Dr Banda however warned that what the UPND leader had done was treason.

"The treasonous behaviour the UPND of likening Zambia to Zimbabwe and wishing the recent events there upon our country must be carefully studied," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Banda said the UPND was now disbanded but that citizens or anyone still had the right to make reference to this entity as the now defunct platform for the projection of ethic pride.

He was reacting to UPND pronouncements that he should shut up as he had been talking about his former party because he missed being part of it.

Dr Banda reiterated that the fact that he was one of its vice presidents was indelible and could not be changed.