M’membe blasts ‘disorderly’ Hichilema
By George Zulu
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema’s incompetence and disorderliness, coupled with ineptitude, inefficiency and ineffectiveness, will create problems for the country, Socialist Party (SP) 2026 presidential candidate Dr Fred M’membe has warned.
Expressing his disappointment over what happened in Chingola and the subsequent warnings to deal with the angry youths, Dr M’membe said Hichilema’s incompetence and disorderliness were highly worrying.
He said no leader worth his salt would use threats, intimidation and all sorts of unorthodox methods to deal with a grieving, angry and hungry citizens.
“We are very disappointed with the UPND [United Party for National Development] government’s incompetence, ineptitude, inefficiency, ineffectiveness, and disorderliness. With the right type of people in government positions, what happened to Mr Hakainde Hichilema in Chingola and Ndola could have been avoided,” Dr M’membe said.
He said Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo failed Hichilema by not cross-checking the security situation in Chingola before handing over the head of state to a politically charged environment.
Dr M’membe said the violent conduct exhibited in Chingola was uncalled for and needed to be addressed sooner rather than later.
“Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo, who was supposed to prepare for Mr Hichilema’s visit, should have cross-checked and properly analysed the political situation and otherwise before taking the President to that political rally. It’s about time we grew both as a country. We can’t have a sitting president stoned, chased, or an attempt made on him so easily and carelessly,” he said.
He urged deputy inspector general of police in charge of special duties at State House Fanwell Siandenge to put his house in order.
Dr M’membe wondered what type of security was around Hichilema when police officers could fall from moving vehicles while providing VIP protection.
“Regardless of that, we blame the deputy inspector general of police in charge of special duties, Mr Fanwell Siandenge, and we urge him to put his house in order immediately,” he said.
“We have seen police officers falling from motor vehicles. What type of VIP protection is that? Are these men trained for these important tasks or just hand-picked UPND cadres?”
He thanked God for saving Hichilema’s life, urging the head of state to tone down and censor his language by avoiding threats and intimidation against Zambians.
“Thank God Mr Hichilema was not hurt. But Mr Hichilema’s reaction is equally disappointing. His language, which is being echoed by his minions, is uncouth and unacceptable. And in anger and frustration, he says nobody should disturb their campaigns. He is holding campaign rallies, but doesn’t want others to do the same,” he said.
Hichilem was forced to cut short his speech and flee from Chingola after some members of the crowd he was addressing pelted him with stones.
