TO WIN, PF MUST PREPARE TO FIGHT THIS BATTLE ALONE
By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
There is currently the grand theft of the largest political party in Zambia to change its allegiance from the Opposition and shift it to the Ruling Party by taking over the leadership through a stooge and proxy.
When the matter started, the absurdity and illegitimate actions of the whole process appeared to be a grand joke and theatrical darings of a junky.
Police refused to act on reports from the Patriotic Front to stop the illegal meeting despite numerous official reports.
On the day of the event on October 24th 2023, Police ignored the reports from the Patriotic Front to stop the Meeting.
PROJECT DRIVEN FROM STATE HOUSE
Until the heavy deployment of the state Police, heavy duty equipment and the dedicated coverage from the public broadcaster ZNBC, no one would have realized the great extent to which State House was serious about this project.
Warnings were everywhere when there was a determined attempt to deregister the Patriotic Front earlier this year.
Later on 9th May 2023 Statutory Instrument No. 592 was gazetted, giving new powers to the Registrar of Societies.
The correct legal process would have required an amendment to the Societies Act CAP 119 of the Laws of Zambia.
The Chief Registrar immediately called on political parties to hold elections to replace perceived vacant positions in their ranks within a period of 60days.
On the day of the so-called Extra-Ordinary General Conference, the presence of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Milner Muyambago stationed at Mulungushi International Conference during a holiday and before the Conference took place, processing finger prints for the Registrar of Societies, was another testament of how determined President Hakainde Hichilema was serious about this grand theft of a political party.
Besides, State House had enough experience, a dress rehearsal was done in 2022 with the theft of two parliamentary seats; Kabushi and Kwacha constituency seats, stolen with concerted bully efforts from State House and the shameless full participation of the Judiciary and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
SILENCE, SILENCE
After the theft of the Party, the PF may have received a temporal jolt in their armoury when former President, Edgar Lungu announced his return to active politics “to rescue the Patriotic Front and Democracy”.
But that could just be a jolt. The battle will be long and drawn-out as State House builds to project the Coup d’état plotter and its stooge, as the legitimate leader of the Patriotic Front.
Of worry is the conspiracy of silence from key stakeholders since October 24th, 2023, when this great assault on democracy began.
This reminds me of Michela Wrongs latest best-selling book; “Do Not Disturb”, The Story of a Political Murder and an African Regime Gone Wrong, exposing the savagery that lies beneath the surface of a regime hailed by many Western admirers, and their conspicous silence on many atrocities the regime commits.
This demonstrates that this will be a lone fight for the Patriotic Front and its members of Parliament as stakeholders remain mute and institutions such as the Judiciary become co-conspirators to the crime.
The PF may have to endure taunts from Nevers Mumba and the UPND, but the PF Party must remember that UPND is extremely dead serious to battle and bury the party for good, save for the shell and name.
ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY
One would think that when the assault was extended to the Judiciary and Parliament, an outpouring of outrage from democracy lovers would inundate the airwaves and the streets.
It was not to be.
British High Commissioner Nicholas Woolley whimpered something about the need by the Police to use proportionate force during maintainance of public order but not on the clear attack on democracy!
With ZNBC and Kalemba driving the propaganda from State House, President Hichilema is determined to use the excuse of Edgar Lungu’s return to active politics as the reason to vanquish the Patriotic Front Party.
Patriotic Front be warned.
It will be a lone fight.
But for those silent voices, let it be known that UPND’s actions will leave lasting damage and dark consequences for our Democracy.
Very childish and unconvincing article. Give it to dogs, maybe they will believe the crap you have vomitted probably due to cholera presence in Lusaka. STUPID IDIOT
Joseph’ Goebbels of Zambia. I laughed at how he was humiliated by one Mark Siluwe on Prime TV’s Oxygen of Democracy program.
Emotional reactions to an internal political problem is not the solution. A minority opposition can not cast a dark cloud in our political space to warrant us to have a general election. This type of thinking is baseless and very reactionary.
Sort out the mess which has been created by the leadership of the biggest political party in the land. Technically bad administrative practices is at the very helm of this confusion. Let’s not become too excited with pointing fingers to others outside the party. The problem is within. Ask real questions , like how can the current Leadership appointed in PF lock offices and it’s effected. No amount of crying or presence stopped it. Now we hear the leader of opposition is being changed. How can this be?
It is clear that technically and “legally” power has shifted. To arrogantly refuse this has happened is to weaken the resolve to fight this eminent battle objectively.
Right now tolerance is being given by this administration. However make no mistake that time will come when enforcing of a “legal ” position will come. Remember it’s not about how you feel that matters, it is what you have legally on the table to counter your claim that is what is required.
Currently unsubstantiated talking and rushed actions have proved to be unfruitful. It is time to sit down and think objectively, professionally and rationally. Begin to be Strategic. Instead of running around with cadres, it’s time be conspicuous while using the brain, a piece of paper and pen. Hours of labor in this fashion can help to positively and wisely to make an intelligent reaction.
Meanwhile , it is clear the current leadership led by SAMPA are on a clear path of making altering changes which will be very difficult or impossible to reverse.
Unfortunately this is the ugly face of politics which is allowable. It is called outwitting opponents using available systems of fault lines within and externally. Remember, the past regime played the same game with MMD using some of the players who are now being questioned of their legality.
Therefore , emotions are the last thing needed. Think and plan strategically. This is what is required on both sides. Like the say may the best team win. We await the final verdict.
Hallow Mr. know it all, what issue have you ever reserved yourself from commenting? You always write articles and articles attacking HH and his Government and all this is done at the expense of mobilising your party. How do you expect your party to progress? Even the time you were in power, the prerequisite for initiation and recognition was by attacking HH and UPND. Even now, if you don’t talk about or you don’t attack HH, it’s like you don’t exist. I remember late Chiluba commenting on the liquidation of Zambia Airways saying some people thought Zambia Airways existed because of them forgetting that it were them who existed because of Zambia Airways. This is how exactly some PF1 members are, they think that PF exists because of them, they forget that it is them who exist because of PF. People like you Mwamba, GL and RN are the master destroyers of PF because of your bad leadership and power hunger. You had all the two years to yourselves and people advised you to a. go for a convention. b. re-brand the party with new leadership. c. account for party funds, but none of that advice was heeded to. Instead, you continued with your usual stubbornness, no convention, no re-branding and no accountability of party funds, totally disregarding how other members were feeling. Instead of holding a convention like what Sampa has done, you were advocating for a rally. Instead of new leadership, you are bringing back the same old leaders who made PF lose. Is it HH who is causing you to do all these things or it is your own confusion? People like Hon Sunday Chanda, Max Chongu, Kennedy Kamba are quiet because they want to lead a peaceful private life. Not long ago, Antonio Mwanza left the party citing loss of direction, but you are still clinging to it? Don’t you think you are the people causing this confusion? Two days ago, I came across an article with a Bemba proverb which says; lunshi or a fly which clings to the corpse is buried with it. PF is in ICU, it’s in coma and those who are clinging to it will be buried with it when it completely dies.
If you love your party give chance to new leadership to rebrand it, otherwise bringing back old leaders will just worsen the situation. If anything you should thank Hon Sampa for saving the party, if he had not done what he did, PF could have been de-registered in the next few days or weeks. So stop blaming State House, reach out for Sampa, dialogue with him and start seriously working for your party. If you can’t defeat them, save yourself time and energy and join them.