Nip jungle politics

AN ugly pattern has emerged whereby some failed elements in society have triggered jungle politics in the hope that the country will drift into anarchy. They have been scheming day and night in a desperate attempt to portray that Zambia is becoming ungovernable. Realising that their chances of getting into Government in 2021 are outrightly din, they have devised a sustained propaganda scheme in league with faceless social media outlets targeting gullible members of society. Development projects sprouting out all over Zambia are hitting their eyes. They know too well that the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA), the Copperbelt International Airport, road projects of international acclaim, district and referral hospitals and many other projects are steadily coming up. By 2021, the unprecedented development projects will have unfolded positively. This will effectively be a trump card for the ruling Patriotic Front Government which will certainly dwarf all opposition parties banded together - large and small. There is no argument about this plain truth. Opposition parties will have to spin a miracle to wage a successful campaign between now and 2021, hence their resolve to apply draconian politics. The reason for Monday’s riots in Kitwe does not tally with anything on the ground. That Zambia Forests and Forestry Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) has been sold is just but a fairy tale. Even if it were sold, would the matter warrant looting goods whose owners are not in any way connected to Zaffico, the Industrial Development Corporation or indeed the government? Looking at the past events, the fake report of Zaffico sale was aimed at placing the Chinese as a prime target of harassment. It was also aimed at painting the government in bad light and to scare away the Chinese who have been undertaking major construction projects, including the setting up of two airports. Is it a coincidence that the riots broke out at the time President Edgar Lungu was touring the Copperbelt International Airport construction site! The source of this misinformation is not an illiterate man; he is a well-read gentleman who has been involved in privatisation programmes. Even when he started the talk about ZAFFICO, he was aware deep-down his heart that no such transaction has ever happened. Thus it was a malicious ploy aimed at inciting the public to rise against the legitimately constituted Government – sedition. Some political leaders have brazenly abandoned the internal democratic processes and embarked on a warped fight against the government – three years away from general elections. For them, 2021 is too far. They would rather take off their gloves and get into the boxing ring to wage a vicious fight with bare knuckles. It is sad that these elements are using youths to commit serious crimes. When youths are arrested and locked up, they remain free and pretend all is well when in fact they are the architect of the whole melee. Zambians must refuse to be used in illegal processions; they are not necessary. Yes, there are armies of youths who are unemployed, but it is unfair to use such people to engage in mischief and later withdraw to safe havens. The masterminds must be smoked out; they must be arrested to account for the action. That way, jungle politics will be nipped!