WE’LL DEFEND THE WEAK

WE are not surprised by the remarks from Senior Chief Mukuni in which he has attacked us for allegedly reporting in the negative against UPND president Hakainde Hichilema.

But we would like to remind Senior Chief Mukuni that we hold no grudge against the UPND leader, but we have taken a principled stand that guides our editorial policy.

We are proud to state that we speak for the voiceless and marginalised in society who would otherwise be trampled upon by the powerful.

It is a principle which we proudly proclaim and for which we have been attacked in the past, even physically.

A molotov cocktail was a few years ago thrown at our offices which fortunately failed to explode. Had it exploded, the entire office building would have been destroyed and some people would have died.

But we have accepted that defending the weak in society is often a thankless task, which does not dissuade us from carrying out our mandate.

Senior Chief Mukuni thinks we are working with the Patriotic Front in trying to tarnish Mr Hichilema’s reputation.

“How can it be normal that only one man on a daily routine attracts headlines in the Daily Nation of being the only opposition politician? How many opposition party leaders do we have in Zambia?” he questioned.

Our support for the Hatembo family who have two of their members kidnapped and have not been heard of for almost three months is based on the principle of defending the weak.

The Hatembo saga has its origins over the manner in which Mr Hichilema acquired their farm in Kalomo which is the subject of a court hearing in which Pheluna and her brother Milton are key witnesses.

Senior Chief Mukuni said Mr Hichilema is a bona fide citizen of Zambia and must not live a round-the- clock life of threats and intimidation by the PF government.

So should the Hatembos and others like them whose lives should also be protected from powerful predators.

If anything, Senior Chief Mukuni’s defence of Mr Hichilema is merely for selfish interests as they are close business partners.

Moreover, the traditional leader is an avowed UPND cadre who has not let his conscience guide him in his public life.

This is the more reason why Senior Chief Mukuni has never spoken out over the UPND-sponsored violence in several parts of the country but has always been quick to attack the PF.

The ongoing violence characterised in the adoption process within the UPND in which even people have been shot and wounded have seen the party top leadership maintain conspicuous silence.

These are the double standards that people are seeing every day because the perpetrators think they are above the law.

With Mr Hichilema contesting the August 12 presidential election, it is possible that he could emerge victorious which could threaten our existence.

But even with such a looming scenario, we refuse to take this line because we want to ensure that justice and equity prevails in the nation for the weak.

PURSUING JUSTICE AND EQUITY WITH INTERGRITY