Is Mr. Mweetwa’s Reaction to the Tonse Alliance Justified? A Call for Political Maturity
By Thandiwe Ketis Ngoma
After watching Mr. Cornelius Mweetwa, UPND spokesperson, criticize the formation of the Tonse Alliance in a recent ZNBC segment, one cannot help but question why such a strong reaction is warranted. Mr. Mweetwa dismissed the alliance as a “failed project” and accused former President Dr. Edgar Lungu and the PF of trying to rebrand themselves and escape a legacy of violence, cadreism, division, and economic mismanagement. While he is entitled to his opinion, his vehement response raises concerns about a deeper fear of legitimate political competition.
In any functioning democracy, alliances are a standard political practice. They are not signs of failure but strategic moves aimed at consolidating resources and achieving shared political objectives. The UPND, as a coalition itself, benefited from a united front in the 2021 elections. Therefore, criticizing the Tonse Alliance while benefiting from a similar coalition suggests a glaring double standard. If Mr. Mweetwa is confident in the UPND’s achievements, he should be focusing on presenting their record and policy agenda, rather than attacking opposition alliances. Political discourse should be about ideas and progress, not undermining legitimate competition.
Political Alliances Are Essential to Democracy
In any democracy, political alliances play a crucial role in promoting diversity and representation. They allow parties to pool resources, broaden their reach, and offer voters more comprehensive solutions to national problems. The PF’s Tonse Alliance is no different from the UPND’s coalition, which helped propel them to power in 2021. This is a common practice across democracies, where political parties collaborate to strengthen their capacity to address the challenges they face.
Dismissing the Tonse Alliance as irrelevant undermines the political choice available to the Zambian people. Smaller, less established parties are just as vital to Zambia’s democracy, as they bring new ideas and connect with segments of society that may otherwise be overlooked by larger parties. It is troubling that Mr. Mweetwa would refer to these smaller parties as “nonentities,” when, in fact, they are vital components of Zambia’s democratic diversity. They represent the diverse voices and concerns of ordinary Zambians. These parties, though they may not hold the same power as larger ones, often bring unique perspectives and play a pivotal role in checking the excesses of dominant political forces.
The Zambian People Will Decide in 2026 – Let Them Decide Freely
Mr. Mweetwa’s harsh criticism of the Tonse Alliance, particularly its choice of Edgar Lungu as its presidential candidate, suggests a lack of confidence in the UPND’s own performance. If the UPND is truly confident in its governance, it should embrace opposition alliances as healthy political competition. Zambians are not passive; they are an informed electorate capable of making sound decisions based on the best interests of their nation.
Rather than dismissing the Tonse Alliance as a “dying horse,” Mr. Mweetwa should focus on the UPND’s record in office. If the UPND has made real progress in addressing the nation’s economic, social, and governance issues, it will have nothing to fear from political competition. The Zambian electorate will make their judgment based on facts and results, not on cheap political attacks. The focus must be on policy, not rhetoric.
Questioning the UPND’s Own Record: Has It Done Better?
While Mr. Mweetwa critiques the PF’s legacy, it’s crucial to ask whether the UPND has truly delivered on its promises to end violence, cadreism, and economic mismanagement.
- Cadreism and Rule of Law: When the UPND assumed power, they promised to eliminate cadreism and restore the rule of law. However, reports continue to surface about UPND cadres engaging in violent, unlawful acts. Notably, there was the alarming incident at the Chienge District Council offices, where UPND cadres intimidated local officials. In North Western Province, UPND cadres threatened to circumcise former President Dr Edgar Lungu, and in Lusaka, UPND cadres harassed and insulted him when he accompanied his wife to the DEC for questioning. Furthermore, when President Harry Kalaba of Citizens First attended a radio program in Mpika, UPND cadres followed him so they could disrupt the event. All these incidents are in the public domain and they paint a troubling picture of ongoing political violence and lawlessness under UPND rule. Mr. Mweetwa should even be ashamed of talking about cadreism in PF without acknowledging that it is equally happening in his own party, the UPND. The difference between PF and UPND, where cadreism is concerned, is that the PF has actually acknowledged that cadreism was rampant during their tenure and promised that, if given an opportunity to bounce back into power, it will not be tolerated. But the UPND seems to insult the Zambian citizens’ intelligence by claiming that they have ended cadreism when the situation shows otherwise.
The selective application of law, where UPND supporters face no repercussions, is the definition of lawlessness. This is not the rule of law Zambians were promised. If Mr. Mweetwa truly believes in the rule of law, he should hold the UPND accountable for the actions of its supporters.
- The Abduction Allegations: Recently, reports surfaced that three UPND officials were allegedly involved in the abduction of Member of Parliament Emmanuel JJ Banda. Despite these serious allegations, the police have not launched any investigation. To make matters worse, a leaked audio recording revealed a disturbing conversation between two Permanent Secretaries and a Minister, attempting to coerce Hon. Banda into exonerating the alleged abductors in exchange for his freedom. Kindly note that Hon JJ Banda was charged with fabricated, trumped-up, non-bailable charges upon mentioning his alleged abductors, which left concerned Zambians wondering why this was done amid his abduction case.
This is not just a matter of criminality; it speaks to the deep corruption within the UPND government and their disregard for accountability. With these allegations in the public domain, it’s hard to understand how Mr. Mweetwa can claim that the UPND is upholding the rule of law when there is such blatant disregard for justice. The failure to act on these serious allegations is a betrayal of the very principles the UPND campaigned on. If the UPND is indeed serious about tackling corruption, they must show the will to investigate and hold accountable those within their ranks involved in unlawful acts.
The Debt Debate: How Has UPND Utilized Borrowing?
While Mr. Mweetwa has critiqued the PF’s borrowing practices, he should be cautious when addressing the UPND’s own borrowing habits. Yes, the PF borrowed to fund infrastructure projects that have left tangible assets, such as roads, schools, hospitals, airports, and bridges. Though others have argued that this was not an ideal situation, I personally feel that it was a response to urgent national needs.
Now, the UPND has also turned to borrowing, but the question remains: What have they done with the funds they have borrowed? Where are the tangible results? What infrastructure or improvements can Zambians point to that justify this new wave of borrowing? The debt continues to rise, yet the UPND government has not demonstrated measurable success in addressing the economic challenges facing ordinary Zambians. Without visible improvements in the lives of the people, the UPND’s borrowing becomes little more than an unsustainable cycle of debt.
Mr. Mweetwa went on to say the PF left the economy in ICU. But didn’t the UPND promise that they were going to revamp the economy? What have they done instead? They have put the economy in the real ICU themselves, not the claims they made about the PF. The UPND government has implemented wrong policies and decisions that have left the economy on its knees. Mealie meal prices have escalated because they decided to sell maize from our strategic reserves. We are experiencing abnormal hours of load shedding not because of drought as being claimed, but due to poor decision-making. Government was forewarned about the impending drought, yet they still chose to enter into contracts with other countries for exporting electricity without thoroughly assessing the long-term consequences for Zambians. Their failure to prioritize the country’s needs reflects a pattern of poor decision-making and inadequate policy planning, which could have been avoided with better foresight and accountability. Without stable electricity supply, it is practically impossible to run an economy.
Cost of Living: A Growing Concern for Zambians
The cost of living has become another major issue under the UPND administration. Many citizens have expressed their frustrations, noting that under the previous government, life was much more bearable. People were able to run their businesses more effectively, and daily activities seemed less burdened by skyrocketing prices. In contrast, under the “New Dawn” government, the situation has worsened. Business owners and ordinary citizens alike have found it increasingly difficult to survive, as the cost of basic goods and services has risen sharply.
Moreover, businesses are suffering due to unreliable power supply. People have reported that power outages are now longer and more frequent, with some areas receiving only about three hours of electricity per day. In a country where small and medium enterprises form the backbone of the economy, such power cuts create severe disruptions. These blackouts affect production, increase costs, and ultimately discourage investment. Citizens are increasingly questioning how a government that promised prosperity could allow such essential services to deteriorate.
Conclusion: Focus on Constructive Debate, Not Attacks
Mr. Mweetwa should realize that political alliances, whether formed by the PF, UPND, or any other party, should be viewed as an exercise in democracy. The Tonse Alliance deserves the opportunity to present its platform, just as the UPND did in 2021. It’s time for political leaders to move beyond disparaging rivals as “failed projects” or “nonentities.” They should focus on building their own records and engaging in meaningful debates about Zambia’s future.
Mr. Mweetwa’s focus should be on presenting the UPND’s achievements and policies rather than attacking opposition alliances. If he is confident that the UPND has made positive changes in Zambia, he should trust the electorate to recognize that.