READY TO KILL AND DIE? STATE SECURITY MUST ACT IMMEDIATELY
A statement now circulating and attributed to an opposition figure, in which he allegedly declares that he is “ready to kill and die” over this election, is an extremely serious matter. Such language, particularly in the final days of a national election, cannot be treated as ordinary campaign rhetoric or allowed to disappear into the noise of social media.
Though those associated with the matter are now claiming that Artificial Intelligence was involved, AI is increasingly being abused as a convenient explanation whenever damaging audio, video or statements emerge. Someone gets into trouble and suddenly the explanation is AI. Artificial Intelligence must not become a universal escape route from accountability.
The investigative and security agencies of the State must investigate this matter immediately and conclusively, and take whatever lawful action is necessary. Zambia’s peace, national security and the integrity of our electoral process are far too important for statements of this gravity to be ignored, trivialised or left to political argument on social media. Our country must remain peaceful before, during and after 13 August.
There is already an extraordinary amount of rumour mongering, manufactured material, innuendo, misinformation and inflammatory political propaganda circulating during this election. Never should Zambia permit an electoral campaign to degenerate into hatred, jealousy and deliberate misinformation, where everything concerning the country is painted black merely because acknowledging progress would inconvenience a political narrative.
The UPND Alliance does not deny the hardship confronting our people. The cost of living remains high. There are families struggling profoundly, including households in which people ration meals and make painful choices merely to get through the day. These are realities which no responsible leader should trivialise. However, explaining how Zambia arrived here is not the same thing as denying that hardship.
The starting point matters. The administration that assumed office in 2021 inherited a country already in sovereign default, with extremely high inflation, enormous debt pressures and severely constrained access to international financing. When an economy begins from a negative position, it must first be stabilised before sustainable growth can take hold. Zambia had reached a point where fundamental parts of the economy had virtually ceased functioning. Neither should social media be mistaken for Zambia.
We have travelled deep into rural communities and the hinterland, beyond the political conversations taking place along sections of the line of rail. There is another Zambia there. People have seen changes in their communities. They have their own experiences, their own assessments and their own reasons for voting. A social media narrative cannot be imposed upon the country as the national verdict.
Elections are not won through entitlement. They are won at the ballot box. Every ballot matters, whether it comes from North, South, East or West, from an urban compound or the remotest rural community. Nobody is entitled to victory. Zambia will decide after the last ballot has been cast and counted.
I am equally troubled by a campaign narrative that seeks to transform people convicted through the courts into “freedom fighters”. Which freedom fighters?
Zambia’s genuine freedom fighters sacrificed themselves against colonial rule for the liberation of our country. We insult their memory when persons convicted of criminal offences through judicial processes are casually elevated into the same historic category merely because their convictions are politically inconvenient. Anyone who believes that a conviction is wrong has recourse to the courts and the established appellate process.
What nation are we building if our children are taught that criminality can simply be repackaged as political heroism? Most importantly, Zambia must reject the politics of “kill or die”, “us or them”, revenge and desperation, regardless of where it originates. No presidency, no parliamentary seat and no political victory is worth the blood of a single Zambian.
The security services must therefore remain on the highest possible alert throughout these remaining days. The Republic must be protected. The electoral process must be protected. Above everything else, the lives and peace of the Zambian people must be protected.
On 13 August, let the people vote. Let every ballot be counted. Let Zambia remain peaceful. No election is worth bloodshed. The Republic comes first.
Zambia Forward, TOGETHER in UNITY. 🇿🇲
Saviour Chishimba
President
United Progressive People (UPP)
UPND Alliance Partner