THEY WOULD’VE NAYADI YOU
…HH tells Chingola youths he saved them in 2021
By George Zulu
STILL smarting from the embarrassing weekend incident on the Copperbelt, President Hakainde Hichilema has threatened to deal with the youths in Chingola who protested against the takeover of Sensele copper mine by stoning him.
Addressing United Party for National Development (UPND) members transported from all over the Copperbelt Province on Sunday at Nkana Cricket Golf Club, a furious Hichilema reminded the youths that they would have faced retribution if he had allowed his supporters to nail them after the 2021 general elections.
“In Chingola, we must introspect. We must work as one. Balya [those] who who wanted to disturb us in Chingola yesterday [Saturday], I hear they are planning to disturb the polling station. Ninshi kuli ifyo balefwaya [then they are looking for trouble, they are looking for trouble]. When we won [in 2021], I told you not to take revenge, not to beat anybody. Bafwile baleicindika. Baleicindika. Muleumfwa? Bafwile balecitashani? [they must respect themselves, are you listening?] We protected them because you could have nayadi [beaten] them. You could have nailed them. I protected them,” he railed.
In an inflammatory tone that bordered on indirect incitement of his cadres, Hichilema sternly warned the youths not to extend their luck too far, urging party officials not to allow any disturbances in the region.
“I protected them. They must not extend their luck. You must make sure nobody disturbs the campaign. Nobody. I mean, nobody. Even one person, no. Mulekutika? Mulefwaya ukubwelela kulya twafumine kulya baletuuma kulya, ama tear gas, imfuti, mulefwaya ukubwelela kunuma uko [are you listening, you want to get back to those days when we were being beaten, when we were gassed, where guns were used against us],” he said.
And transport and logistics minister Frank Tayali warned small-scale miners who protested against Hichilema to watch out.
“Iwe jerabo iwe, ifyo mwacitile basopo, twalamisoting’a. Hakainde Hichilema alileta icibote [you jerabos, what you did, be careful, we shall sort you out. Hakainde Hichilema has brought peace]. No one will take this country back. Mr President, you are a God-fearing man. Uyu ni commander-in-chief. Mailo alanda ati ‘sort them out’ ngafyalibipa [this one is commander-in-chief of all armed forces, and if he had said ‘sort them out’ yesterday, things would have been bad]. But you decided to simply walk away. May God continue blessing you,” Tayali said.
Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo said the ruling party would not tolerate what used to happen in the past.
“Filya baletuuma balekeni aba abantu, bamona kwati tulifipuba. Tatuli fipuba iyo. Ba President nalapelela apapene, ni wanya marks get set. [the way they used to beat us, watch, they think we are foolish, we are not, Mr President, let me end here, but it is now on your marks, get set, goal…,” Matambo said.
On Saturday, Hichilema was forced to abandon his address at Chiwempala Market in Chingola and flee from the mining town when irate small-scale miners pelted the podium from which he was speaking.
The flared-up blossomed into a full riot which left a trail of destruction, including a burnt police van.
