Thursday, March 28, 2024

Don’t weaponize Covid-19-HH

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Zambia’s main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has urged his man rival for the August elections President Edgar Lungu not to use the Covid-19 pandemic to disadvantage his opponents.

Mr Hichilema said it is unfortunate that President Lungu and the PF who have been campaigning for the last two years even at the peak of the Covid pandemic could turn around today and ban rallies.

Mr Hichilema said President Lungu should not weaponise the Covid-19 pandemic against the opposition.

The UPND leader was speaking on Wednesday evening when he featured on a Beyond the Headlines, a radio programme hosted by Kwangu Liwewe on Hot FM.

“They have been campaigning since Covid started. As the opposition, we will go out there to mobilize our voters but we will protect our own lives and lives of our supporters. We won’t be reckless about it,” Mr Hichilema explained.

He added, “Covid should not be politicized to disadvantage competitors in an election. Covid arrived February 2020, did PF have rallies through out 2020 and yet they didn’t allow us to hold our meetings,” Mr Hichilema said.

On President Lungu’s eligibility to stand in the August polls, Mr Hichilema refused to comment saying the law should be interpreted by the Courts.

I am not the one to interpret the law. Ntewewe wanted to petition HH’s candidature and no one in the UPND threatened him, we are very civil. We believe in the rule of law. John Sangwa is just the courageous man who should be protected,” he said.

He added, “Who qualifies running for the presidency is an interpretation of the law. We encourage John not to be intimidated and not because his petition will advantage us, no, because it is the rule of law. The law will interpret that, I don’t want to be cited for contempt of court. Let the law interpret who qualifies and who doesn’t and no Judge should be threatened.”

And Mr Hichilema has rubbished assertions from those who have left the UPND to join the PF that the party lacks leadership.

He says the UPND has recorded great progress and that it is mischievous for those leaving the party today to claim that he has failed to provide leadership.

“The UPND has moved from 27% of the national vote when it was formed to where we are now, arguably around 50% of the national vote even after stealing our votes in last election. How does one claim that the party is losing direction when infact it is growing?”

He added, “Those are called migrants, we have nothing against them. We wish them well. We expect that, in our planning we expect there will be people like that. They carry a different approach to public leadership, this party will form government.”

On the ECZ’s ability to conduct a free and fair election, Mr Hichilema said the people of Zambia deserve a free and fair election.

“No one should play with the elections of 2021. The ECZ has a duty to carry out a free and fair election. Our colleagues at ECZ understand what is at stake and we encourage them to do that which is right, we know they are under pressure but we will give them the support.”

Mr Hichilema also stated that he is not bothered by the manner in which the Socialist Party has been camapigning against the UPND on some of its outdoor billboards.

“I saw the billboard and my decision was that ignore it, when you see an opposition attacking a fellow then you know that party doesn’t understand Zambian politics or that they are a surrogate of the ruling party,” he said.

“Our job is to offer checks and balances, why would you want to go and attack a fellow opposition? We fought Bill 10, where were the Socialist Party? They pretend to be opposition but they are part and parcel of the ruling party.”

Mr Hichilema charged that the Socialist Party’s approach to politics could steam from hatr d for him and the UPND.

“This could be coming from colossal hatred and jealousy, it’s an old problem, this is coming from personalities that have never liked the UPND from the time UPND was created in 1998. It’s the same individual who was demonizing Mazoka, I just inherited that hatred. That is a feeling of an infantile political party full of hatred.

32 COMMENTS

  1. Well said HH. ECL is indeed weaponising Covid 19 to PF’s advantage. He doesn’t want genuine Opposition Parties to freely disseminate their Campaign messages to voters. He knows that Opposition Parties have Powerful Campaign messages after PF destroyed the Economy. PF Corruption, Gassing of the People, Lawlessness, violence, misgovernance, over borrowing etc are real Campaign issues. Most Zambians are fed up with the Corrupt, incompetent and Visionless ECL Regime. On August 12 People will vote for Change led by HH and UPND Alliance. People can’t imagine another 5 years of ECL misrule. PF Cadreism will make People suffer more. On August 12 come rain come shine Voters will send ECL and PF “ku wire “. People are Angry and Hungry for Change and this time around they will protect…

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  2. “We continue calling upon our community leadership structures and influencers to promote behaviour change. In countries where we see the number of cases kept at a minimal, it has been shown that adherence to the five golden rules has played a key part, with up to 80% of cases averted by adhering to this simple guidance, ” Dr Malama said.

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  3. Bwana Under 5, what happened to that reconciliation with Fred Membe in 2016? Was it plastic so that you could get coverage in the Post newspaper? You have another plastic marriage with KBF and Mutati thinking they will help you win. Same mistakes but expecting a different result bwana Under 5. Wake up iwe

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  4. The PF including Edgar Lungu were holding public gatherings and campaigning throughout 2020 during the first wave of covid. What is the difference now?
    Tanzania, Malawi,Ghana ,Burkina Faso,Côte d’Ivoire , Guinea , Seychelles all held Presidential elections during covid-19 epidemic.
    ZAMBIANS DONT BE CHEATED

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  5. HH wanted a country to be locked down.How come he doesnt want to save the Zambian people now.The man is selfish indeed.Lungu made a good decision not to lock the country down.Do the same HH now to lock the country down since cases are increasing since you’re a responsible leader.U should be advocating for lock down since you want save lives.

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  6. You guys under 5 wants to sacrifice innocent lives think he will win 12/7 elections. Forget!!!!! Another loss in the making.ECL is the head of state and when he travels around the country inspecting projects whats wrong he is the Head of State.You want him to just seat around in state house. Another loss awaits you and your HH.

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  7. Useless idl0t. Hh be a man for once and stop complaining. I need to whlp this boy hh with my gun to teach him a lesson. He will never rule this country and yet makes the most noise. He is a very basic crook

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  8. Look at the used condom above…….never made honest money in his life …….his wife had panties with broken elastics before he joined GRZ……..

    HH and UPND , be ready for a shutdown of the Internet…….lungu is desperate.

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  9. Look at the used con.dom above…….never made honest money in his life …….his wi.fe had pan.ties with broken elastics before he joined GRZ……..

    HH and UPND , be ready for a shutdown of the Internet…….lun.gu is desp.erate.

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  10. MAY THE ALMIGHTY LORD CONSIDER THE SORROW OF ZAMBIANS AND GIVE US A LEADER WHO WILL COMMISERATE WITH THEM IN TRUTH BY PROVIDING TRULY INSPIRING LEADERSHIP.

  11. We are all agreed, with these decrees flying around like the last days of the Romanian dictatorship there is a rough ride ahead. We should be prepared for literally anything here as akaps says. We have already seen the following:-

    Prisoners voting and two week break
    Candidate ECL taking over role of parliament, now he makes laws too on his own.
    The IG also bring another obscure parliament.
    Soon we will hear strange laws from PF Secretary General
    Strange times indeed, buckle up people.

    Meanwhile this KZ civil servant is getting pay illegally, I think he does no work!

  12. Even HH family who “defected” are back from abduction.
    I wonder why Kachingwe is not yet arrested, but Queen Mukuni was.

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  13. Does the Ministry of Health (MoH) have capacity to provide masks to citizens attending political campaigns? If not, then the MoH should not expect all citizens to wear masks during political campaigns. When the MoH in liaison with ECZ developed COVID prevention guidelines during political campaigns, the MoH should have budgeted for provision of facilities and services during political campaigns to ensure citizens participating adhere to these MoH and ECZ agreed guidelines. MoH and ECZ should not expect political parties to shoulder expenses on guidelines without any support from MoH and ECZ. When will public institutions take their responsibilities of providing public services expected from them by citizens?

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  14. Lusaka times always dropping my messages..,soon will migrate to News Diggers or Mast Online! So tiring rally!

  15. Who told you the opposition should unite? All political parties have an agenda, but it doesn’t mean their sole aim is to work as one unit. Some opposition parties do wrong things through and through. Political ideologies differ. Don’t think Socialism and Capitalism should share same bed.
    UPND viciously attacked PF when the 2011 political pact crumbled and no one said HH was RB’s surrogate

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  16. The fact that UPND is still solid and strong today tell you that HH is a strong leader. Look around, where is the mighty UNIP, MMD, NADA etc. We need a strong opposition and HH has provided that.

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  17. HH is not strong but he is supported by tr—–bal— agenda in UPND.He should save lives of people first.Joe Bidden in opposition demonstrated that.HH advocated for total lock down if Lungu cared for Zambians.What kind of a leader who wants nowto campaign when covid 19 cases are increasing.Have u seen what’s happening in India due to political rallies?Ba UPNDu need to think guys.U don’t care about Zambia but to promote yo tri=—-bal agenda.We want one zambia one nation

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  18. Our politicians can be so dull to even fail to see what is happening in the world, what HH is saying is what exactly happened in India , politicians in India chose to campaign when the pandemic was almost disappearing but after those campaigns.
    The opposite is true people started dying like flies and there was no room where to bury them now Mr President do you think that should also happen in Zambia, how many people are you targeting to kill.
    Please sir be reasonable enough to respect the lives of Zambians .

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  19. I totally agree with HH.

    The Socialist Party or Fred Mmembe has so much hate for HH.

    Mmembe hated Late Anderson Mazoka. He hates HH. Fred does not like seeing another Zambian being a successful business person.

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  20. The outcome of Trumpian and River Ganges super spreader events is well known. HH cannot even “shadow manage” a crisis such as COVID19!!!. Imagine him running the affairs of State!!!. He fails the test even before he takes the test!!!

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  21. “Don’t weaponize Covid-19-HH”
    HH, DON’T SCORN ON OR UNDERRATE THOSE SUFFERING FROM COVID-19 JUST BECAUSE OF YOUR STVP!D TRIBAL AMBITIONS.

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  22. @19 A QUEUE AND A HEEP ARE TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE GROUPINGS OR ARRANGEMENTS. UNLESS NAIWE YOU ARE AS STVP!D AS THOSE PEOPLE ADVOCATING RALLIES FOR THEIR OWN SELFISH INTERESTS. JUST CONSIDER THE NUMBER OF DEATHS EXPERIENCED AFTER THE US CAMPAGIN RALLIES.

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  23. HH IS NOT SCORNING ANYONE AND HE WILL SAVE THIS COUNTRY
    WHAT HAS THIS PRESIDENT CONTRIBUTED VERY LITTLE EXCEPT BIG DEBT
    AND DONT SAY ROADS FLYOVERS BRIDGES ETC> THEY DONT BELONG TO US BUT FUTURE GENERATIONS WHO HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM
    AND MR LUNGU AND COVID TOO SCARED TO ADMIT HES SCARED TO TAKE IT OR TOO ASHAMED TO SAY HE TOOK IT SECRETLY AGES AGO
    LOOK AT THE FACTS BEFORE YOU BLAH BLAH BLAH

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  24. DONT WORRY ABOUT k-Z THREATS CANT EVEN CATCH A WIFE
    HE’S JUST SEWAERAGE COLLECTOR
    CYBER BILL WAS JUST A SCARE THEY DONT KNOW EVEN HOW A COMPUTER FUNCTIONS
    THOSE WHO ARE NOT SURE USE THE TOR BROWSER ITS VERY SAFE IF YOU DONT HAVE A VPN

  25. DONT WORRY k-Z CANT EVEN CATCH A WIFE
    HE’S JUST SEWAERAGE COLLECTOR
    CYBER BILL WAS JUST A SCARE THEY DONT KNOW EVEN HOW A COMPUTER FUNCTIONS
    THOSE WHO ARE NOT SURE USE THE TOR BROWSER ITS VERY SAFE IF YOU DONT HAVE A VPN

  26. Just agree ati Covid-19 is a game changer.
    Don’t make the situation tougher than it is.
    Covid is real.
    Crowds are super spreaders.
    Don’t be thick skulled.
    You would need the same people you want killed though hopeless rallies.
    Covid stipulate new normals and oval head wants the old way of doing things.
    This kwindi never learns and that worries me a great deal.

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  27. HH is very hopeless, last year he called for total lockdown because numbers of people getting sick was high today he is against what he supported something is wrong in his head…This is how selfish and greedy people behave…You want to sacrifice souls!

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