UPND cadres misconduct at Nawakwi’s funeral shameful
IT IS regrettable that violent United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres extended their unruly behaviour to Leopards Hill Memorial Park where late Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi was being put to rest and attempted to disrupt proceeding of the solemn occasion.
The uncouth behaviour is not surprising to us because the UPND has been acting like angels and playing the victim from their time in opposition when Zambians all know that it is the most violent political party in this country’s history. Leopards Hill Memorial Park, where mourners had gathered to pay their final respects to the departed FDD leader, was overrun by hundreds of UPND cadres ferried there in over 10 busloads causing chaos. All this happened shortly after President Hakainde Hichilema called on Zambians to mourn Nawakwi with dignity. How hypocritical!
It is a well known fact that the UPND mobilised cadres from Kulima Tower Bus Station, which has become synonymous with violence in Lusaka and the surrounding districts. More than 10 buses that ferried the cadres to Leopards Hill Memorial Park were initially parked at a filling station near Kulima Tower Bus Station.
Later, the cadres began to board the buses in two single files. Kulima Tower Bus Station has clearly evolved into what was once the Intercity Bus Terminus where violence thrived during the Patriotic Front (PF) regime. It has become the breeding ground for political violence.
Cadres at Kulima Tower, masquerading as call boys, conductors and bus drivers, are responsible for perpetrating most of the political violence in Lusaka.
It is clear that the cadres did not travel in buses to Leopards Hill Memorial Park on their own volition. They were clearly sponsored by someone who mobilised them, hired the buses and paid for the fuel.
UPND Lusaka Province chairman Obvious Mwaliteta and national youth chairman Gilbert Liswaniso should rein in and manage these cadres, although we already known that they are most likely the muscle behind the misconduct and violence of these cadres.
How can they not be aware when they are the ones responsible for the province and youths, respectively? Zambians are wondering why the UPND cadres went to the Memorial Park when Nawakwi was not their member nut a member of the opposition Tonse Alliance. That was an opposition funeral, and they knew this. We have not seen opposition cadres barging into or storming UPND funerals.
We can be justified if we conclude that the sole purpose of the cadres was to cause chaos and disrupt the funeral.
Many Zambians share the sentiments of FDD vice president Chifumu Banda that Nawakwi did not die a happy person because government did not believe that she was very sick. This was a woman who was persecuted and vilified for standing for the truth and the voiceless in society.
Banda said government agents rubbished his repeated explanations as her defence lawyer that Nawakwi’s health was failing in their quest to have her imprisoned.
He said yesterday during the funeral service of the former minister, who died in South Africa on Monday at the age of 60, government acted like Thomas Didymus in the Bible over Nawakwi’s health.
“Edith did not die a happy person. Edith died in extreme challenges. Where is love? Are we a Christian nation?” Banda wondered as he addressed the mourners, who included President Hakainde Hichilema and senior government officials, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
In response, Hichilema called on Zambians to mourn Nawakwi with dignity and respect.
Hichilema said Nawakwi’s death should accord Zambians an opportunity to turn a new page of dialogue between the opposition and government.
He said it was important for stakeholders to address the challenges that might arise in a mature manner, as differences between political parties do not amount to enmity.
Hichilema said government had an open door policy and that it was only through mature dialogue devoid of insults is an expression of maturity which should be done without insults.
Going forward, it is crucial for Zambians to have open and sincere discussions about the persecution of people who stand out for the weak and voiceless in society. It is unfortunate that Nawakwi died a sad person because she was facing frivolous charges of sedition only because she stood for the truth, which did not sit well with those in authority.
Nawakwi stood up for the weak and spoke out for them, and her passing gives our leaders – especially those working under the New Dawn administration – a chance to reflect and ask themselves how they are leading our nation. This hypocrisy should end now for the sake of posterity.
