By SIMON MUNTEMBA
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema should fulfill his campaign promises he made during election campaigns or risk the Presidency in 2026, Movement for National Transformation (MNT) founder, Daniel Shimunza has advised.
And Dr Shimunza has also insisted that corruption amnesty was the best way to recover public resources because it saves time and resources, unlike a vindictive and revenge-driven approach.
In an interview, Dr Shimunza, who is UPND Alliance member, told the Daily Nation that Zambians would not be patient in 2026 with unfulfilled promises of free education and the fight against corruption, among others.
“Zambians will not be patient in 2026, with unfulfilled or broken promises of freeeducation, fight against corruption, increased teachers’ salaries, payments of retirees, the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation, restoration of students’ meal allowances, youths who voted overwhelmingly, and women. The Presidency, is at risk, if these end up as reduced or broken promises,” Dr Shimunza said.
He urged President Hichilema to quickly start working and delivering his campaign promises because the legacy of any presidency could be decided within 90 days.
Dr Shimunza said one of the major campaign promises that the UPND Alliance made to win the August 12 election was to fight corruption which allegedly characterised the PF administration, but nothing was done apart from mere rhetoric.
“Time is running out. The legacy of any presidency, can be decided within 90 days, nothing magical, can be done beyond the vision spelled out within that period and execution, thereof,” he said.
He said the fight against corruption must not be in rhetoric, but practical, and amnesty was the way to go.
Meanwhile, Dr Shimunza said there was nothing sinister for the State not to institute criminal proceedings against Ms Faith Musonda by granting her an amnesty, after she surrendered K65 million, $57. 900 and property in New Kasama because she fulfilled the requirements of section 80 of the Anti-Corruption Act number 3 of 2012.
