Fri, 24 Aug 2012 10:47:06 +0000
Zambians should brace themselves for difficult times under the Patriotic Front (PF) warn UPND president Hakainde Hichilema.
Mr. Hichilema said the PF was totally insensitive to issues of credibility, integrity and good governance.
He has since asked Zambians to brace themselves for harder times in the next four years because it was clear that that the Government was not prepared and indeed was unable to stomach criticism.
Mr Hichilema said in an interview that democracy had been vandalised,” In the next four years, I see brutality, a government that is going to damage democracy and it will be doubtful for the country to have free and fair elections. But I ask the people of Zambia to remain strong and resilient as they defend and protect the country’s democracy.” Mr Hichilema said.
Mr Hichilema said the brutality and callousness of the government had been amply exhibited by the manner in which dissent had been harshly put down
He explained that the PF was deliberately trying to divert the attention of Zambians from what was promised before elections by intimidating and harassing the opposition and their leaders.
“Zambians have not forgotten that Mr Sata promised them more jobs and money in their pockets in 90 days. They have not forgotten that he would put their interest first before his. But they are seeing salary increases of more than 100 percent long before he has met what he promised them. And when we remind him and his party, he chooses to set the police on us so that we are arrested and silenced. We will not be silenced .” Mr Hichilema said.
The Government, he said, had gone as far as harassing and intimidating the Catholic Church of which the President was a member by the deportation of Lundazi priest Fr Vieteur Banyangandora, who was merely preaching the true word of God about the suffering of humanity.
“They promised to fight corruption and they are the most corrupt government we have had. Instead of creating jobs, they are busy creating gas chambers at police stations where they are gassing citizens,” Mr Hichilema said.
