HH RUNNING GOVT OF TERROR
…Hichilema abetting political violence in a bid to retain power-M’membe
By a Correspondent
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema is running a government of terror, while abetting political violence in an effort to retain power, Socialist Party (SP) president Dr Fred M’membe has said.
In a statement issued yesterday, Dr M’membe, the 2026 People’s Pact movement presidential candidate, said the only explanation possible as to why the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres were freely attacking opponents was because of state protection.
“Mr Hakainde Hichilema is promoting and abetting political violence in this country to retain power. UPND cadres are allowed to attack and harm his political opponents with impunity. And the police seem helpless. Instead of focusing on the violent UPND cadres, they turn to the victims who are further brutalised and arrested by the police,” he said.
Dr M’membe cited what happened in Serenje in 2023, where he was arrested after being attacked by UPND cadres, a case he was now appearing in court for.
“This happened to us in Serenje in 2023 and it happened to us in by-elections almost all the time,” he said.
Dr M’membe urged Zambians to brace themselves for the most difficult treatment from the UPND and Hichilema at the helm of power.
He said Zambians were no longer safe under Hichilema and should never trust his quest for the second term of office, as doing so would give him power to abuse.
“Zambians should brace themselves for more and more of this type of violence from Mr Hichilema’s cadres. But as we have seen over and over again, nothing lasts forever. Those in power today will one day leave; that time always comes, whether one likes it or not,” he said.
Dr M’membe said with the kind of violence experienced so far, it was not possible for the country to hold free, fair and peaceful elections.
“With this conduct, with this attitude, it won’t be possible to have free, fair, and peaceful elections in August 2026,” he said.
