Sensio blasts insensitive Milupi
By Tony Nkhoma
FORMER Kasenengwa member of Parliament Sensio Banda has condemned as insensitive remarks by Minister of Infrastructure Charles Milupi on the death of former president Edgar Lungu.
Banda said Zambia was suffering from moral and spiritual erosion as Milupi has demonstrated.
He said Zambia was today standing at a crossroads not merely politically, but morally and spiritually as well.
In a statement seen by The Mast, Banda said Milupi had proved that he could not offer sound advice to President Hakainde Hichilema and the nation.
He urged Milupi to retract his ill-timed and insensitive statement and refocus his efforts on offering sound counsel to the President and the nation.
“Mr Milupi’s remarks that the Tonse Alliance, largely composed of the Patriotic Front (PF), should not expect a sympathy vote in the upcoming Lumezi by-election because of the national mourning are untimely, insensitive and unbecoming of a senior government official,” Banda said.
Milupi was speaking in an interview with Phoenix News.
He told the radio station that the voters in Lumezi would compare the track records of both parties and make informed decisions and not on the basis of sympathy.
Milupi said politics should be based on delivery and performance, rather than tribal sympathy.
But Banda said the country was in a critical time grappling with the profound loss of Lungu and therefore needed leadership grounded in empathy, wisdom and unity of purpose.
“It is therefore deeply regrettable that recent statement by Mr Charles Milupi, minister of infrastructure, housing, and urban development, has not only failed to reflect these values but also risked pouring salt into a fresh national wound,” Banda said.
He said while the argument for issue-based politics was acceptable in ordinary times, this was not an ordinary time.
The death of a former head of state is not just a family affair. It is a national event that calls for sober reflection, healing and the demonstration of collective humanity.
Banda said leadership was tested not by how it behaved in comfort, but by how it conducted itself in moments of national pain.
“We are a fractured nation, and the death of President Lungu has only exposed the long-simmering cracks in our national unity. In such a moment, leaders should rise above partisan gains and focus on stitching the fabric of the country back together,” he said.
Banda said for Milupi’s reduction of the current solemn moment to mere electioneering was an insult to the spirit of national mourning and an affront to the unity that Zambia so desperately needs.
“One would expect a man of his stature to use his influence to counsel unity, promote reconciliation and demonstrate leadership by example. Unfortunately, his remarks have done the opposite, casting a shadow over the government’s image and sending a message that political expediency trumps national healing,” Banda said.
Banda called on Milupi to retract his ill-timed statement and refocus his efforts on offering sound counsel to the President and the nation.
“Now is not the time for careless political rhetoric. It is a time for leaders to speak as statesmen, not as partisans. The younger generation is watching, and if our elders in leadership abandon the responsibility of nation-building for political gain, what hope is there for the unity of tomorrow’s Zambia?” Banda said.
