Dr. Fred M’membe, the President of the Socialist Party in Zambia, has accused the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) of being responsible for the violent conduct of their cadres and supporters. In a statement on his Facebook page, Dr. M’membe claimed that the UPND leadership supports, encourages, and sponsors the violence of their cadres and supporters.
Dr. M’membe further claimed that UPND leaders only speak out against the violence of their political opponents and are selective in their condemnation of political violence. According to him, they do not like the violence of their political opponents but have no problems with the violence of those who belong to their party.
He cited recent incidents of violence allegedly perpetrated by UPND cadres, including an attack on Patriotic Front (PF) leaders who were attending a church service in Chililabombwe. He also accused UPND cadres of attacking his party’s supporters in Serenje and looting their campaign materials and foodstuffs.
The politician questioned why UPND cadres seemed to be above the law and claimed that their violence is sponsored and supported by their leaders who command the police, other law enforcement agencies, and to some extent, the courts of law. He called on UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to take action to stop the violence of his supporters.
According to Dr. M’membe, the UPND cadres’ violence arises from their leaders’ desire to win every by-election at any cost. He added that leaders with uncontrolled appetites for electoral victory will have no scruples for deploying violence as an electoral tool.
Dr. M’membe highlighted that the most violent individuals often claim to stand for peace, but their actions speak louder than their words. Additionally, he questioned how many promises the UPND has made but not delivered or delivered the opposite, such as fertilisers, mealie meals, fuel, and jobs.