Dear Editor,
THE recent announcement by the UPND presidential candidate, Mr Hakainde Hichilema on his approach toward the personalised fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is a clear mismatch with his party’s documented negligence to prevent the exponential spike.
On one hand Mr Hichilema claims that the current administration is solely responsible for the rise in the numbers yet he and his cohorts are on record of being in constant denial of the existence of the virus in Zambia.
Mr Hichilema during the early stages of the pandemic had hoodwinked his followers to believe that the pandemic was a hoax and that the government was using it to obtain financial assistance from well-wishers.
He also claimed that the pandemic was being used to deter political competitors from mounting meaningful participation in the political process of the country.
From the outset, Mr Hichilema has more political than health consideration yet the issue is beyond partisan considerations.
This is what cast doubt on his sincerity after the government has put in more measures to mitigate the further deterioration of the situation.
The HH presser was more of a political stunt than the voice of reason. It had disregarded the positive strides such as the integration of various government ministries through the Council of Ministers chaired by Vice President Inonge Wina and the cooperation of the other stakeholders. It is unfair for HH to apportion absolute blame on the current administration for the Covid situation when he had been the high priest of rebellion to the laid down Covid protocols.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) had provided guidance on how the democratic processes were to be undertaken while fighting the invisible enemy. The UPND with the rebellious nature vowed to defy the guidance and hold rallies as there was an alleged conspiracy to give the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) an unfair advantage over other competitors.
The roadshows which were impulsively organised to sweep the Lusaka and Copperbelt residential community are not consistent with what could come from the true worrier who has waged battle against the Covid virus.
Even as at now Mr Hichilema’s allies have gone with their imported cadres flat out in other parts of the country interacting with the citizens.
Mr Hichilema also suggests to establish a directorate responsible for the fight against the pandemic under the Office of the President. This clearly brings the question of the depoliticisation of this noble fight.
Again, it is clear that he has little appreciation of the specialised units and the experts who have been providing professional advice to the government.
The fight against Covid is not the preserve of the President, it is a shared responsibility between State and non-State actors.
It is therefore difficult to appreciate Mr Hichilema’s approach toward the fight against the pandemic when he has documented failure in taking personal responsibility.
MARVIN CHANDA MBERI,
Lusaka.
