DARING THE ARMY; AN UNWISE DECISION BY TOONSE PAMODZI ALLIANCE

DARING THE ARMY; AN UNWISE DECISION BY TOONSE PAMODZI ALLIANCE.

By Zambian Watch News Editor,

We have noted with concern how Toonse Pamodzi Alliance Presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his Running Mate, Makebi Zulu, appear to be daring the Army, particularly the Special Forces.

Few minutes ago, just to psychologically play on people’s minds so that they can take to the streets, Makebi Zulu announced through his official Facebook page that Mundubile has been captured by the Army.

Further, they claim that Mundubile has won the election and is being protected by international entities.

So the question is, how can the Army capture and beat their incoming President honestly?

This is where things become extremely worrying.

When political figures begin making statements involving the Army, emotions can quickly overtake reason.

A single alarming post can be shared thousands of times within minutes, creating fear, anger and confusion among citizens who have no way of independently verifying what is happening on the ground.

You see, you cannot sponsor hooliganism in the country by issuing dangerous statements.

Politicians need to know when to joke and when to be serious.

Because once people take to the streets based on information that later turns out to be false or exaggerated, the consequences can become very difficult to control.

What begins as a political statement can quickly turn into confrontation, destruction of property and unnecessary injuries.

Yes, Special Forces are at Mulungushi International Conference Centre to maintain peace and order after intelligence tips that plans to destabilise the elections were in motion.

By maintaining peace, this has apparently become big news to Toonse Pamodzi Alliance and their supporters.

Special Forces have not beaten anyone. They are simply observing and ensuring that peace is maintained at all costs.

But the worrying part is the attempt to portray a security presence as something much more sinister without presenting clear evidence.

Imagine the fear created when citizens are told that their supposed incoming President has been “captured” by the Army.

Imagine the reaction of a young supporter who reads such a statement, believes it completely and decides that the only way to defend his candidate is to take to the streets.

That is how dangerous political misinformation can become.

And this is why political leaders must be extremely careful with their words. Zambia is watching, the region is watching and, most importantly, ordinary Zambians are watching.

Nobody should be allowed to turn political disappointment, excitement or claims of victory into a spark that ignites unnecessary chaos.

If Mundubile has won the election, then let the evidence speak.

If there are concerns about the electoral process, let them be presented through the appropriate institutions.

But turning every security deployment into a political confrontation with the Army is a dangerous road to take.

The most frightening thing about moments like this is that nobody knows how quickly tension can escalate once crowds gather and emotions take over.

A rumour can become a confrontation. A confrontation can become violence. And violence can leave consequences that politicians themselves may not be able to control.

Zambia has one country.

Political parties will come and go. Candidates will win and lose. Governments will change. But the country and its people will remain.

This is therefore not the time to dare the Army, frighten citizens or manufacture an atmosphere of impending conflict.

It is time for political leaders to lower the temperature, verify information before publishing it and allow the constitutional electoral process to determine who has won.

Because once the streets become the battlefield, nobody can predict where the situation will end.

– Zambian Watch News.