UPND LETTING HH DOWN, SAYS MOOLA

THE Patriotic Front (PF) is shocked that the handlers of republican President Hakainde Hichilema could allow him to make Kitwe Mayor Mpasa Mwaya a subject of discussion instead of reprimanding his Copperbelt Minister Elisha

Matambo for abusing an elected civic leader.

Copperbelt media director Munalula Moola said Mr Matambo had already set the tone by warning Ms Mwaya not to play with President Hichilema, but it was shocking that the handlers of President Hichilema could allow him to go after the Mayor who had not committed any crime

During the handing over of the CDF (Constituency Development Fund) vehicles, President Hichilema warned

Kitwe Mayor Mwaya that she was being petty, telling time for politicking would only come in 2026.

Last week, the Kitwe Mayor ruffled the feathers of the UPND leaders with her social media posting which only stated that '' I hope he resigns after the conference'' which was misconstrued that she meant the republican President

This was followed by Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo who last week fumed at the Kitwe Mayor on allegations that she had called for the resignation of President Hichilema following Thursday's press conference.

During a courtesy call on Kitwe Mayor, Mr Matambo said he had woken to a surprise of social media reports that Ms Mwaya called for the President's resignation and warned her against issuing political statements against the Head of State and play politics with either him or party leadership.

But, Mr Moola said the former ruling party was shocked that the handlers of the republican President could allow him to get to the level of the Mayor when his Minister had already warned the Mayor not to play with the Head of State

"We strongly feel the difference or issue involving the Kitwe Mayor and the Copperbelt Minister should have ended at that level and not escalate to the level of presidency. The President should not be made to comment on every issue and difference involving his ministers. The ministers should be left to handle matters that are at their levels and should not feel belittled then report to the President on every opposition or attack they find. The President has a lot to handle and should be left to handle matters at his level,'' Mr Moola said

Mr Moola has also advised the UPND not to get agitated or feel provoked by criticism of their campaign promises, but should work hard to prove its critics wrong by ensuring that the price of mealie meal was affordable to the majority Zambians.

Mr Moola said the trend in the ruling UPND where whoever criticised the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema about its campaign promises was insulted including clergymen, was not only disrespectful, but also an indication that the party lacked humility.

Mr Moola was reacting to the statement from UPND Deputy Secretary Getrude Imenda that some Catholic Priests are using the pulpit to attack President Hichilema who according to her, was doing so well.Ms Imenda is particularly incensed with Anthony Salangeta who commented on graphs which President Hakainde Hichilema used to illustrate the economic trajectory of the country from 1973 to the time the UPND got into government