Zambians silent not because they are happy – Mudolo

…accuses the UPND government of having collapsed the economy, says citizens have withdrawn into silence because of the fear of the Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security laws, warns the ballot will speak for them in 2026

By BARNABAS ZULU

ZAMBIANS are not talking because President Hakainde Hichilema has delivered to their expectations but have been gagged by the draconian laws such as Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security laws, which have essentially criminalised free speech and freedom of expression, South Africa-based Zambian business tycoon Willah Joseph Mudolo has said.
Mr Mudolo, now the Patriotic Front (PF) presidential aspirant says the United Party for National Development (UPND) government has lamentably failed in all areas and had resorted to intimidation and harassment against citizens who are expressing themselves.
Speaking in an exclusive interview yesterday, Mr. Mudolo said Zambians were suffering in silence because of the economic hardships they had been subjected to by the Hakainde Hichilema administration but shall certainly rise in 2026 to liberate themselves.
“I am not attacking the President, no,” Mr Mudolo said. “I am saying the government has failed. The President is the father of the nation, and I love him. He is our brother. I am not attacking him. But I am saying his administration has failed the people.”
Mr Mudolo questioned the UPND’s claims of job creation and economic progress, arguing that the numbers President Hichilema was boasting about were not reflecting the reality on the ground for ordinary Zambians.
“If the country performed well, I would be the first person to start praising the government. When people give us a mandate to run the government, we have to be accountable to them,” he said.
“The UPND are claiming that they have created so many jobs. Which jobs have they created? People are getting K5, 000. How do you motivate them? How do you curb corruption in such an environment? People getting K5, 000?”
He said the cost of living had remained astronomically high for majority Zambians, making it difficult for civil servants and ordinary workers to survive on current salaries.
“If you look at our CPI life, it’s very high. Can they survive with a K5, 000 salary?” he asked. “You cannot be there expecting to be praised for employing people when you are not using your own money but the people’s money. You are just an administrator. So, if you have failed, you have failed.”
Mr Mudolo emphasised that his vision for leadership involves improving the welfare of public service workers – including teachers, police officers, and soldiers – by addressing their low pay, which he said fuels corruption and low morale.
“All we want is to have an opportunity to work for a government that speaks to the people,” he said. “Look at teachers, the police, the army – these people are getting little money. How do you expect them to survive?”
“How then do you curb corruption in government? How do you expect the civil service to be motivated? The first thing I will do is to increase the salaries of the civil service to motivate them.”