Zambians have lived a 5-year lie, says Mwelwa
By Thandizo Banda
ZAMBIANS have lived a five-year lie under President Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND) government, Tonse Alliance spokesperson Dr Lawrence Mwelwa has said.
In an interview, Dr Mwelwa said the UPND administration had abandoned its promises on democracy, human rights and the fight against corruption.
He said the current government rode to power on pledges of a new dawn that would fight corruption, tribalism and division, reduce the high cost of doing business and offer Zambians a decent lifestyle but had failed to fulfil any of its commitments.
“…but has instead presided over shrinking civic space, selective justice and secretive dealings in national assets. Zambians were promised freedom. They got fear. They were promised transparency. They got secrecy. They were promised cheap mealie-meal and jobs. They got debt and hunger,” Dr Mwelwa said.
He cited reports by United Nations (UN) experts, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International documenting allegations of arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, bans on opposition meetings, intimidation of journalists and political violence.
Dr Mwelwa said while the reports did not allege Hichilema in his own capacity to have committed offences, they placed responsibility on the administration to investigate, discipline offenders and protect freedoms.
“The Public Order Act is still being used as a weapon. Speech offences and the 2025 cyber laws have become tools of surveillance and censorship. Government can deny it. The people feel it,” he said.
Dr Mwelwa said Hichilema and his administration had failed the corruption test by not acting on perpetrators just because they were close allies.
He cited the resignation of former foreign affairs minister Stanley Kakubo, the dissolution of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) board and the diversion of donated medicines that led to reduced United StDr Mwelwates (US) health assistance.
“This is not a fight against corruption. This is corruption rebranded,” Dr Mwelwa said.
He said the UPND government had not followed procedure before transferring 51 per cent of Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) shares to Delta Mining.
Although the Constitutional Court later ruled approval was not required in the absence of enabling legislation for Article 210, citizens were still owed full disclosure.
“Zambians deserve to know the price, the debt, the real owners and the protections for the 49 per cent we still own. A technical ruling does not cure a political betrayal,” Dr Mwelwa said.
He demanded independent investigations into abuses and corruption, immediate publication of outstanding audit reports, repeal or reform of repressive laws, full disclosure of the Mopani Copper Mine deal and all major asset transactions, and unrestricted political space.
“After nearly five years, judge this government not by press conferences but by prisons emptied, by journalists free, by audits published, and by mines that benefit Zambians first. A new dawn was promised. Darkness was delivered. The people must now decide,” Dr Mwelwa said.
