Dear Editor, I N the evening of Sunday, social media was awash with the claims that the government was targeting 58-year-old long serving president of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Hakainde Hichilema. The allegations were to the e x – tent that the police specifically from State House were on their way to Mr Hichilema’s home with a view to administer the poisonous substance on him which would later be the source of his death.
Home affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo dismissed the claims and clarified that State House Police do not carry law enforcement operations save to provide security for the Head of State. Among the high priests of lies is embattled Choma Central Member of Parliament Cornelius Mweetwa who is so far facing an uphill battle in his bid to reclaim the seat which is nearly slipping off his hands. It is being irresponsible for the Choma MP who is a lawyer by profession to turn himself into the high priest of falsehood and alarming statements in the run up to the August 12 general elections. The claims of poisoning are serious in nature and if they are well founded, UPND should report the case to the police especially that they claim to know the people threatening the life of their leader.
The statements if coming from the leaders are quite unfortunate especially that the UPND cadres even responded and carried an unlawful procession to the home of Mr Hichilema. We recall, there are instances when HH has been caught in the web of willful confrontation, entice the police to act and when they act, he moves with the narrative of being a target of death.
The credibility of such claims which are expressionlessly been made without tangible evidence makes his assertion farfetched. By now he should have provided sufficient details so that the state can grant him the necessary protection to thwart the threat on his life. We advise Mr Hichilema not to worry about his health, his life matters just like any other Zambian citizen. Government has shown political will in investing in the security of the nation.
This is the reason the government has taken proactive steps in equipping staff with necessary skills and resources to carry on their responsibility of protecting human life. It is therefore wrong for Mr Hichilema to single out himself as the victim of imaginary state sponsored killing yet the state has done its best to put measures of safeguarding human life. MARVIN CHANDA MBER
