FREE MUNDUBILE, MAKEBI, PLEADS KALABA By BARNABAS ZULU

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema holds the key to bringing calm, peace, reconciliation, and unity to the nation after the fractious August 13 elections and should find space in his heart and consider freeing his political opponents, Brian Mundubile, his running mate Makebi Zulu and retired Anglican Bishop Trevor Mwamba and more than a dozen of other treason detainees, Harry Kalaba has said. Mr Kalaba, the leader of the Citizens’ First (CF) says President Hichilema is holding the key to restoring calm in the country by releasing Mr Mundubile, Mr Zulu, Bishop Mwamba and other detainees. Speaking when he appeared on the Emmanuel Mwamba Verified (EMV) podcast, Mr Kalaba said the country should not be divided between winners and losers in an electoral contest. “We must stop banding Zambians into two camps - the victors and the vanquished. We are one Zambia; one people and election is just an election not a war,” Mr Kalaba said. Mr Kalaba disclosed he has “quietly” written to President Hichilema, appealing for compassion, love and peace over Mundubile, stating that he had been crushed by the killing of former Transport and Communications Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya, just days before his 50th birthday. “Kafwaya was like a brother. When he died, I was gripped with deep grief. At his house, I found few mourners - Zambians were afraid to gather and mourn. Zambians are living in fear,” Mr Kalaba said. He explained that he had personally called Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa to mourn with the family on behalf of the government, underscoring the climate of fear gripping the nation. “To heal the divide is to stop settling scores by victors. Brian is my childhood friend - we even planned to form a party together as far back as 2004 when leaving MMD. Now, he’s confined to Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility facing treason charges. That is not how democracy works, I appeal to President Hichilema to release all treason detained so that the country can start healing after the acrimonious August general elections,” he said. Mr Kalaba cited examples of restraint in the country’s past, recalling that Levy Mwanawasa did not arrest Anderson Mazoka after a disputed poll and self-declaration, while Dr. Kenneth Kaunda peacefully handed power to Frederick Chiluba in 1991 after he lost. He said fifth President Michael Sata took over from Rupiah Banda without reprisals while late former President Edgar Lungu conceded to President Hichilema in 2021 and handed over power peacefully with a smooth transition. “If I were President, I would visit the home of Mr Mutotwe Kafwaya. I would talk to foes in jail such as Brian Mundubile and Makebi. The nation needs to heal. Zambia will continue long after politicians are gone. We are mortal, the country is immortal,” he said. “Mr Hichilema missed an opportunity to validate his own election. First, you vote, then a winner is announced, then seven days are given for petitions. That step was skipped. I have not yet congratulated him because the election cycle was incomplete,” he said. Mr Kalaba urged moderation in rhetoric, advising that political leaders should stop shouting at each other but should endeavour to talk to each other with respect. “I want Brian to provide checks and balances from outside detention with his family, not from Mukobeko Maximum Prison. I have appealed to the First Lady Mutinta to put herself in the shoes of Bishop Mwamba’s wife, of Brian’s wife, of Kafwaya’s widow, the wives of all jailed men,” he said. He added: “We must be ashamed of ourselves to have friends in jail 62 years after independence. The person key in getting Brian and Makebi out of detention is President Hichilema. He has the key.”

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