THE leadership of the United Party for National Development (UPND) must be taken to task over the confusion that has been reported in Chililabombwe where mob psychology is reigning. Its cadres have acted in direct defiance of what the national leadership, led by President Hakainde Hichilema has spoken out against.
UPND cadres have taken over the transportation of mealie meal to Konkola and Kasumbalesa leaving over 20 traders destitute on the pretext that it was now time for ruling party members to benefit.
UPND Chililabombwe district chairman, Timothy Musonda has since written to the district commissioner’s office notifying them of the party’s decision to suspend all mealie meal supply deals to the two townships.
According to Mr Musonda, the traders who had all along been involved in the business have been told to stop and allow for a new crop to take over. It does not make sense. Obviously the displaced traders have licences and other papers in order and it begs the question how Mr Musonda and his team can all of a sudden decide to suspend their businesses.
According to a confidential letter, Mr Musonda said the UPND National Management Committee has allowed a new arrangement where the ruling party had taken over the supply of mealie meal to Konkola and Kasumbalesa.
“The party has decided that permit for passage to trucks carrying mealie meal to Kasumbalesa community and Konkola Township by the current arrangement is suspended. My office through the National Management has allowed a new arrangement by the party to takeover Konkola and Kasumbalesa community service with immediate effect,” the letter reads.
And at a meeting held at Kamenza Secondary School hall attended by Mr Musonda, a senior party official allegedly told the traders that they should pave way for UPND cadres to also benefit. Quite clearly, the UPND is not moving in one direction and this is the danger that is causing concern in the nation.
It is a fact that within UPND, there are two sides to the outcome of the August 12 general elections that voted out the PF. On one side are the idealists led by President Hichilema who say they have assumed office to serve and not for personal gain.
The other side represents the foot soldiers, popularly known as cadres who interpret the August 12 electoral victory as a passport to “enjoy” the benefits that accrued to their PF colleagues. This is why immediately the election results were announced, UPND cadres at markets and bus stations immediately installed themselves as “commanders” and ejected those aligned to the vanquished PF.
Yes, the anguish they had endured under the PF cadres could be understood and no wonder Mr Hichilema, during his first public appearance promised that there would be no retribution. He emphatically made it clear that caderism in all its forms will never again be allowed at markets and bus stations, that these public facilities were to be accessible to all Zambians oblivious of their political affiliation.
President Hichilema risks losing the goodwill he has earned by removing the hated cadres if he allows this lawlessness emerging within the rank and file of the UPND of wanting to “enjoy” what they secretly yearned for in opposition. What is emerging in Chililabombwe is lawlessness and it must be curbed now. Political healing must be the catchword now.
