PETITION WILL NOT HEAL NATION, TONSE ALLIANCE CHIEF WARNS
… Zumani Zimba distances himself from court challenges, calling presidential election petitions a confrontational process
By DAVID KANDUZA
TONSE-PAMODZI Alliance founder and secretary general, Chris Zimba, has openly broken ranks with opposition leaders over plans to challenge the just-ended general elections.
Dr Zimba in a monitored recorded audio warned that petitioning the presidential results would not heal or reconcile the nation’s deeply divided politicians.
Characterising the legal challenge as a highly confrontational process, Dr Zimba declared that he would not be a party to the petition.
He instead urged political players to prioritise national dialogue, peace and political reconciliation.
His statements expose a sharp rift within the country’s primary opposition coalition.
Following the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s declaration that President Hakainde Hichilema won re-election with 61.4 per cent of the vote, National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), presidential candidate Brian Mundubile announced formal plans to file a petition in the Constitutional Court, citing gross irregularities and rigging.
However, Dr Zimba, explicitly washed his hands of the legal battle.
“With such fire burning across the country, petitioning presidential results will be a big mistake,” Dr Zimba cautioned.
“As for me, Tonse Alliance founder, secretary general and chief advisor, I will not be part of it. Let dialogue, healing, peace and reconciliation reign now to serve many who are detained and hiding,” he said
Dr Zimba argued that pursuing a bitter, drawn-out court battle would only exacerbate political hostilities and endanger lives.
He stressed that the alliance’s immediate focus should be on calming nationwide tensions and protecting citizens rather than engaging in adversarial legal maneuvers against a legitimately declared president.
According to Zimba, relief for opposition figures facing State detention or hiding can only be achieved through peaceful engagement, not confrontation
His call for a peaceful path forward aligns with other member parties within the coalition, such as the Resolute Party (RP) and the NRPUP, both of which have conceded defeat and urged the opposition to respect the will of the electorate.