‘APPROPRIATE ACTION’
THE language coming from the United Party for National Development (UPND) threatening some political leaders and commentators of “appropriate action” is frightening.
We do not know what “appropriate action” means. But from the tone, one could easily guess that it includes physical violence.
Have the police taken note?
On Tuesday, the UPND in Lusaka warned of undisclosed reprisals against Brebnar Changala, Kelvin Fube Bwalya, Fred M’membe and Edith Nawakwi for allegedly attacking President Hakainde Hichilema and disturbing his work of governing the country.
Mr Anderson Banda, the UPND Lusaka Province youth chairman described Mr Changala, a civil rights and political activist, Mr Fube Bwalya, the leader of Zambia Must Prosper, Dr M’membe, the Socialist Party leader, and Ms Nawakwi, the president of the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) and Mr Tembo, the leader of Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) as jealous, petty and envious people whose desire was to see President Hichilema and his government fail.
Mr Banda accused Mr Changala, Mr Fube, Dr M’membe and Ms Nawakwi of having gone on rampage attacking President Hichilema and that the UPND youths shall respond with equal force in the language the critics to the head of State would understand best.
We do not think Mr Banda is thinking of inviting these people to a meeting but rather insinuating that he would unleash UPND youths to sort them out physically.
It is a shame that instead of arguing with points on the arguments being raised by the so-called critics to prove that Mr Hichilema is on the right track, Mr Banda has chosen to act in a manner unbecoming of a national leader.
It is wrong for Mr Banda to threaten that he would unleash UPND cadres who “shall respond with equal force in the language the critics to the head of State would understand best.”
Just what is that language the critics understand best? Definitely, we do not think they best understand violence other than engaging in a healthy debate with those in government to discuss national issues.
Mr Banda said the opposition was advancing politics of hate against Mr Hichilema which had no benefits to the majority of Zambians, warning that the youth who loved the head of State shall not stand by but shall rise and respond in a language the opposition understood best.
We do not think even President Hichilema would support such strategies coming from Mr Banda that only promote violence.
As the saying goes, “violence begets violence.” Should UPND youths be used to attack fellow citizens, their sympathisers could also choose to retaliate thereby unleashing a spiral of violence.
Our advice to Mr Banda is to learn to discuss issues in an amicable manner without threatening violence.
He should not also insult their intelligence by insinuating that their role within the ruling party is merely to be used as a vigilante unit against the perceived enemies of the party.
As for now, we call on Mr Banda’s superiors to distance themselves from his “war cry” unless they agree with his thinking.
PURSUING JUSTICE AND EQUITY WITH INTERGRITY