HH must level playing field

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Dear Editor,

I
F President Hakainde Hichilema truly believed in his so-called “unchallengeable” development agenda, why is he busy gagging political opponents and intimidating dissenting voices? Leaders with confidence in their vision do not fear debate – they embrace it.
What we see today is not confidence, but a regime haunted by insecurity and obsessed with silencing critics.
We hear statements boasting about “zips and locks to shut up mouths” and branding opponents as “meaningless political vuvuzelas.”
This is the language of dictators and tyrants, not democrats.
Let history remind us: every leader who chose to govern through fear – whether Kenneth Kaunda during the one-party state era, Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, or Idi Amin in Uganda – eventually fell because you cannot silence the will of the people forever.
Zambia does not belong to one man or one party. It belongs to all its citizens.
Development without freedom is nothing but tyranny. No amount of propaganda, arrests or political threats will change that reality.
If the UPND government’s promises were truly being delivered, it would not need to use police power and intimidation as tools of governance.
The claim that in 2026 the President will “hand over power to himself” is not just arrogant – it is a clear warning sign of dictatorial ambition. But let it be known:
Power in Zambia has never been permanent for anyone, and it will never be. The will of the people is stronger than any political ego.
Instead of wasting time suppressing voices, the President should fix crippling load-shedding, skyrocketing mealie-meal prices, youth unemployment and a collapsing economy.
That is what real leadership demands – not padlocking mouths in the name of development.
History has shown us one truth that tyranny never wins. No matter how many zips and locks are prepared, the truth will always break free. Zambians fought for multiparty democracy and will defend it again if need be