UPND LAWLESSNESS

GOVERNMENT must move in decisively and end the lawlessness being exhibited by cadres from the United Party for National Development (UPND).

Hordes of UPND cadres last week invaded Tailing Dam number 52 popularly known as TD 52, owned by Copper Tree Investment and refused to leave the mining place until police forced them out.

The siege lasted 24 hours when police de scended on the mine at the crack of dawn and removed the cadres.

Copper Tree Investment had obtained a court order during the time of the PF restraining squatters and any encroachment on its mining place which was still binding, but the UPND cadres invaded the mining place and started illegal mining activities.

The lawlessness they are exhibiting is not only maligning their party but the general population.

And what is surprising is that police have not reported any arrests of the invaders. How is it possible that the cadres who were allegedly led by some “Commander” started damaging the fence in full view of the State Police who were guarding the premises?

There is no way in which a person, acting alone or in a group can be allowed to trespass on private property in a bid to takeover operations.

It is clear that the much touted rule of law by the UPND’s new dawn administration is not be ing taken seriously hence the defiance by the cadres.

We find it strange that political cadres have the nerve to invade and start mining from pri vately-owned mines.

It is indeed frightening and sends wrong sig nals to the international community, especially investors that their investments are not safe.

The problems that the UPND leadership have with its cadres are not surprising.

They were probably promised a lot of things during the campaign leading to the August 12 general elections that ushered the UPND into power.

This could explain why there have been dissatisfaction for example over the Black Mountain in Kitwe which was apparently op erated by miners aligned to the former ruling Patriotic Front.

It is not a secret that one of the first moves that UPND cadres made immediately after the election results were announced was to try and take over operations at the Black Mountain.

Their rationale has been that it was now “their turn to eat,” meaning that being the party in government entailed that they took control.

This thinking was behind the ongoing wran gles involving bus stations and markets.

For a while the UPND leadership was calling for respect of the law and removal of all man ner of political cadres, the foot soldiers had a different agenda.

The UPND was propelled into government by expectant youths who were probably promised “heaven on earth” hence their impatience that their fortunes had not changed for the better.

It is important that the UPND leadership makes peace with the expectant army of young cadres that breaking the law will not bring about instant business opportunities or employment.

It must also impress upon them that they are making their party unpopular.

The public is thus justified to think that there is selective application of the law, that it mat ters what colour your party regalia is.

PURSUING JUSTICE AND EQUITY WITH INTERGRITY