UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa says Monze residents booed President Edgar Lungu because police officers and PF cadres defaced opposition billboards in that area.
In an interview, Mweetwa, who is also Choma Central UPND member of parliament, said people were simply expressing their displeasure to the Head of State on the police conduct.
“What happened in Monze is that President Lungu’s visit and people behaving like that was a result of irresponsibility on the part of police. Zambia Police, together with the PF cadres, a day before President Lungu’s arrival went on rampage removing all UPND billboards. They defaced portraits that were hanging around in Monze for Hakainde Hichilema. That incensed the people who decided that if they removed the Chitenges and portraits, they were going to show him that they were not happy with him. Why didn’t that happen in Livingstone and Mazabuka? It is because police working with PF cadres did not go to deface any UPND material. That was not a reaction to President Lungu, that was a reaction to police and cadres to show President Lungu to say ‘you cannot allow this’,” Mweetwa said.
“PF regalia is everywhere in Zambia and no one has conducted an act of defacing them or removing them. So why do that in Monze? They were sending a message to the Commander-in Chief to put the police in check because the police are not part of a political arena, they are neutral. People had an obligation to highlight police insensitivity by what they did. They did not say President Lungu should not come to Monze, did anyone throw stones at him? No.”
And Mweetwa vowed that the party would still go and meet people in the ruling party’s perceived strongholds.
“I don’t think it is a question of stronghold, we will be meeting our people there. If PF wants to steer and bring about physical confrontation in their perceived strongholds, they can be, who cares? For what I know is that there is no permanent stronghold. If there was a permanent stronghold, MMD would still have been in power today because Southern Province was number one stronghold for MMD. In 1991, Southern Province gave MMD 100 per cent vote whereas Eastern Province was still voting for UNIP. This is how politics is. So if PF thinks they will be there forever they are daydreaming,” said Mweetwa.
5 Responses
Mwitwa, u are the man. It looks like PF believes everyone in Zambia must love president Lungu no no no. People, even our own children not all of them love us parents . Zambia is a democratic nation and we have the right to support political parties of our choice. For me whatever happened in monze must be a strong signal for what is coming. Please leaders u need to accept criticisms for u to grow. Learn to see, get advice, face challenges, borrow ideas and many more. Mostly listen to what people are complaining about. The worst part is our leaders are focused on what ministers advice them. Zambians, good examples of good leaders are education permanent secretary. I love this man. Committed to his duties please continue serving the education sector. I must be honest, I respect president lungu and the PF but now , I ve lost the support for them coz they dont care. Our leaders forget easily that we are their employers and every five years we sign a social contract with them. Am so sorry that PF u have orchestrated your own down fall. U ve between now and September 2021 to change the mindset of people who are upset with u. For me priority goes to the electorates than ministers. It’s not to late. Corrupt ministers must be fired to gain confidence from the masses.
People should be given freedom of association
The booring of the president it wasn’t right we are condemning and we are appea to the Republican president to forgive them as his children. But they shouldn’t involve hh for he is an innocent person
True President Lungu shud have respect for everyone
that is what happens when power is driven by prejudice soon towns on the copper belt will follow suit the leavel of frustration of the youths in the province is a scare to ones hears if they do not control the carders the offended youths will stand out vent the Hunger at the head and before we cross over this year do the needful do the reconciliation than wasting all the time money energy on a none beneficial to youths the so called bill10 it’s now time as a party and head of state to show that there is no greater to reconcile and loving ones political opponent