THE UPND has rescinded its decision banning the Patriotic Front (PF) from donning its regalia but is insisting that the former ruling party should not take their freedom for granted as their amnesty had expired.
The governing party says the PF members and followers are now free to wear their regalia but should refrain from insinuating that the former ruling party could wrestle and reclaim the governance of the country.
Last week, the UPND party on the Copperbelt banned the PF from attending national events and donning its regalia vowing that whoever was going to be seen in the ceremonial dress would be physically beaten.
But now Mr Timothy Mfula, the UPND Copperbelt information and publicity secretary says the ruling party has allowed the PF to continue wearing their regalia only on condition that they should never abuse their freedom.
“It should be made known to all that every freedom has boundaries which should be respected. The UPND stands for peace and has promised Zambians coexistence of all political parties apart from the restoration all the freedoms that were taken away.
Mr Mfula said the UPND will never advocate violence of any form because its members, leaders and sympathisers were victims of violence during the time it was in the opposition.
“The video circulating on social media from the youth does not represent the position of the party as you have heard from our President. He is a strong believer in coexistence and respect for the rule of law. We wish to state categorically that UPND stands for peace and has promised the people of Zambia coexistence of all political parties.
“Our position as a party on the Copperbelt is that everybody is free to wear whatever regalia they want but they should not abuse their freedom to inflame the motions of our members on the pretext of exercising their freedoms. It should be made known to all that every freedom has boundaries which should respected,” Mr Mfula said.
Mr Mfula said President Hichilema was a strong believer in peace and could tolerate violence of any sort and those who were advocating for such were on their own should the long arm of the law catches up with them.
“Those who brutalised Zambians in the past in the name of ichipani should come to terms that Zambians have chosen to embrace peace and unity as the greatest ingredients for development,’’ he said.
The Youth Day in Kitwe turned violent leaving hundreds of PF youths brutally injured after suspected UPND cadres caused mayhem in Kitwe, Kasama, Ndola and other parts of the country. A day after the Youth Day violence, President Hichilema issued disparaging remarks and slighting his predecessor, former President Edgar Lungu describing insinuations that the former head of State would be returning to power as ‘Ukutumpa’ (being stupid).
