Kateka pleads with HH to heal the nation, restore unity

By MUBITA KATETE CHISHALA Kateka has called for national healing and greater attention to the concerns of ordinary Zambians, saying the country cannot make meaningful progress amidst continuing divisions and public anger. Ms Kateka, the president of the New Heritage Party (NHP) says the concerns of citizens should have been the central focus of Government throughout its first term, arguing that challenges such as electricity shortages and the high cost of living had contributed to public frustration. “For me, as Chishala Kateka, president of the New Heritage Party, the issue has always been about Zambians. Today, we have an extremely polarised country,” Ms Kateka said. She added that the level of personal attacks directed at political leaders demonstrated the depth of public dissatisfaction, hatred and anger among citizens. Ms Kateka, however, cautioned against presenting allegations surrounding the election as established facts, saying competing claims about the electoral outcome should be subjected to evidence and appropriate legal and electoral processes. “There are competing claims that must be examined through evidence and the appropriate legal and electoral processes,” she said. She said concerns raised by citizens regarding vote counting, the role of security forces and the management of polling stations should not simply be dismissed. Ms Kateka also distinguished between being legally recognised as a government and enjoying the confidence of the entire population. “A government can be constitutionally and legally recognised while still facing a significant challenge in rebuilding public confidence,” Ms Kateka said. She urged President Hakainde Hichilema to address divisions and listen to citizens who remained dissatisfied, saying national unity should be built around a shared purpose rather than an instruction to forget grievances. She maintained that the country’s focus should return to issues affecting citizens, including the cost of living, electricity, employment, economic opportunities and general welfare. “Those are the issues that should bring us together. Once elected, a President becomes President of the entire country. You cannot build a strong nation on division,” Ms Kateka said.

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