Defend democracy, Kasonde Mwenda urges Zambians

By NATION REPORTER NO matter what it takes, Zambians should stand up and defend the country’s democracy and its iconic reputation as an “Oasis of Peace”, Economics Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Kasonde Mwenda has said. Mr Mwenda said he was among individuals and institutions allegedly appearing on a list calling for them to be “dealt with mercilessly and possibly ‘exterminated” following President Hakainde Hichilema’s swearing-in for a second term on Tuesday. Those named include Hot FM, KBN, Radio Maria, Mr Mwenda, Andy Luki, Anthony Mukwita, Kellys Kaunda and Frank Mutubila, among others. Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mr Mwenda said the alleged list was unfortunate because the people and institutions mentioned had not been accused of committing any crime but had merely continued to provide checks and balances. “Yes, I’ve seen it,” Mr Mwenda said when asked about the alleged hit list. He alleged that the material had been circulated by a UPND functionary, stating that those responsible should be held accountable if the publication amounted to a cyber-related offence. “If it were actually other people who had authored that, by now they would be charged for cyber-related crimes,” he said. Mr Mwenda supported and campaigned for the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance presidential ticket of Mr Brian Mundubile and Mr Makebi Zulu who both are at a Maximum Prison after police charged them with treason. He said it was particularly worrying that a directive allegedly calling for citizens to be harmed could be circulated against people who were simply exercising their right to question those in authority. “It’s a very unfortunate insinuation, because the directive to harm citizens, that’s critical to the current government, and it’s not people who have done any crime,” Mr Mwenda said. He said the alleged threats represented a worrying development at a time when the country needed healing following a divisive election. Mr Mwenda questioned what kind of democracy was being promoted when critical voices were allegedly being targeted, particularly after President Hichilema had called for tolerance, democracy and inclusivity during his inauguration. “That’s just a few hours after the President was on the podium preaching tolerance and democracy and inclusivity. But now, in their partisan bloc, they are circulating the very opposite, instigating harm on innocents,” he said. Ends.

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