SP RAISES CONCERN OVER VOTE-BUYING IN MFUWE BY-ELECTION
Mfuwe… Wednesday July 16, 2025 – The Socialist Party (SP) has expressed concern over alleged vote-buying activities in the ongoing Mfuwe parliamentary by-election, accusing the ruling UPND of engaging in unethical electoral practices to secure victory.
In a statement issued by Mr. Brian Hapunda, Chief Advisor to the President of the Socialist Party, the party stated that it was not surprised by the alleged distribution of money to village headmen and polling stations.
Mr. Hapunda alleged that UPND National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso and President Hakainde Hichilema’s Political Advisor Levy Ngoma were involved in the disbursement of cash amounts of K1,500 and K5,000 respectively.
He stated that such practices had become a recurring pattern in by-elections since the UPND assumed office in 2021, describing the ruling party as “struggling” and “dependent on underhanded methods” to maintain political dominance.
The Socialist Party contended that the ruling party was using vote-buying, state resources, cabinet ministers, Permanent Secretaries, and District Commissioners in a coordinated effort to create an artificial parliamentary majority, which would pave the way for constitutional amendments.
Mr. Hapunda further argued that the UPND’s political popularity had significantly declined due to unmet campaign promises made during the 2021 general elections.
He asserted that the ruling party was now resorting to desperate measures in an attempt to portray grassroots support that nolonger existed.
The Socialist Party went on to urge citizens to accept any money or food items distributed by UPND officials but resist voting for them, emphasizing that a vote was “too sacred to be cheapened.”
Mr. Hapunda also dismissed UPND’s by-election victories as “borrowed” and not reflective of genuine popular support, predicting that the true test of the party’s popularity would come in the 2026 general elections.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hapunda called on the UPND to redirect public resources toward essential services, particularly healthcare.
He accused the government of neglecting critical areas such as the supply of medicines to public health facilities, where, he said, citizens were “dying in large numbers daily” due to shortages.
Already accepted defeat before the day of voting
Hapunda you are in a wrong party sir. Fred can never win an election. He is a man who is in politcs for himself and his family.Instead of tangible solutions,he is always here insulting HH every day. This is a man who really think Socialisms works. All the countries where there is socialism poverty is there at a massive level. Fred should just go back to run his newspapers. This is a man who evaded paying tax. He declared himself bankrupt after failing to run his businesses just to avoid paying the Lending Institutions. As for him the easiest way to make quick money is through politics. He is not a leader but an opportunist and divider who thrives in disseminating tribal hatred.
HaaMusonda,
I have never ever heard you say someone is in the wrong party before. Why are you saying HAAPUNDA should be in UPND? Is it automatic for someone like him to be expected to align with UPND? Please explain yourself. Do you feel betrayed?
REJECT TRIBALISM, CORRUPTION AND OPPRESSION.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
And you really think whoever does not agree with you is Tonga? You Can’t see beyond your nose wake up…. What a tribalist and an Idiot you are…Hatred for others will take you to an early grave.Let me put salt on your injury to heal the wound…PF is not coming back
What can come out from Hapunda and Fred other than rubbish. Brian has PF hangover of buying votes. UPND doesn’t have those evil and primitive tactics. Mmembe despite his good education credentials lacks common sense and integrity. Further more the homosexuality tag will never leave him, hence his chances to republican presidency are extremely low.
.