UPND HAS DEMONSTRATED GREAT DISCIPLINE IN LUSAKA

By MacPherson Mutale

UPND HAS DEMONSTRATED GREAT DISCIPLINE IN LUSAKA

We should give credit where it is due. The UPND, as a political party, has demonstrated remarkable maturity in handling the ongoing clean-up of Lusaka’s CBD. Seeing “The People’s Mayor” demolish makeshift structures belonging to UPND cadres, while engaging them calmly and respectfully, is a clear demonstration of political discipline.

The Party Secretary General set the tone when he made it clear that the party does not want lawlessness and wants to see a clean city. That is what disciplined leadership looks like. You allow elected officials to do their work without interference, intimidation or political protection of cadres. On this one, I commend the UPND for showing maturity.

Zambia will get better when we stop allowing lawlessness in the name of political patronage and cadreism. We need functional systems, and we cannot build them when cadres are allowed to block every progressive idea.

We have seen, in the past, senior party officials use citizens as a shield to legitimise corruption and mismanagement of public resources. That era must end. The UPND has set a positive tone, and we should build on it.

We have learnt that laws and regulations without political will are nothing more than ink on paper, applying only to the weak. Let this new chapter inspire mayors and council chairpersons across the country to emulate what Simon Mwewa is doing in Lusaka.

A clean country is not merely about aesthetics. It means fewer diseases, a lower burden on our health system and ultimately reduced public health expenditure. Health is a development imperative, and we must begin to treat it as such.

Kudos to Mr Mwewa. Zambia needs politicians who do not just talk, but do. You have demonstrated that you are a doer, and I encourage you not to relent. This is only the beginning, and your political career has started on a very positive footing.

Keep going and keep shining. We are cheering you on and will continue supporting every genuine effort towards a cleaner, healthier Zambia.

You are indeed “The People’s Mayor.”