DEMOCRATIC Party president Harry Kalaba says the ruling party is scared of losing the August election and has now resolved to instil fear in opposition leaders and their supporters.
Commenting on the arrest of Chief Mukuni’s wife Veronica Mwanakasale Mukuni and the detention of Choma UPND Mayor Javan Simoloka and his Mazabuka counterpart Vincent Lilanda, Kalaba said the arrests were politically motivated to instil fear in the opposition.
He appealed to the PF leadership to be civil in the way they proceeded with the governance of the nation in the remaining days.
“The PF is doing all this to inculcate a sense of fear in the opposition and those that are supporting the opposition. I don’t think it is right. I have been watching all these things in dignified silence because I didn’t think Zambia would get to this. In my view, let the people decide, don’t hinder anybody, don’t fear anybody. Don’t fear Kalaba, don’t fear Hakainde Hichilema. Allow all of us to go to the polls. Let the Zambian people choose, if Harry Kalaba is better so be it. No one was born with the Presidency in their hands and because of the greed at play, we are seeing that people are being victimised, it is sad! We have a traditional ruler in this country in Luapula Province, he does anything and everything and no one talks about him. He issues statements in favour of government. He tells chiefs ‘don’t welcome Kalaba in the chiefdoms’, and nothing has happened to him,” Kalaba said.
“So anybody who is toeing the PF line is a saint, anybody who is not toeing the PF line needs to be sanitised. I think that is not correct because what is good for the goose is good for the gander. I am appealing to the PF leadership, we are remaining with only 90 days before power changes hands, be civil in the way you proceed with the governance of this nation. The same institutions you are using against others, tomorrow it might be used against you. What type of a country are we? We need to heal.”
He charged that PF was using unorthodox ways and means to try and hold on to power because it was scared of losing the election.
“Let the playing field be leveled. The PF is dead scared of losing the election in August. They are very scared! Because they are scared, they are now employing all kinds of unorthodox ways and means to try and hold on to power. Zambia did not start with President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Zambia will not end with President Lungu. Because of the regime that is happening in our country, the police can’t work,” said Kalaba.