M’membe Accuses Hichilema Government of Hypocrisy and Arrogance
Lusaka, Zambia – June 10, 2025 — In a strongly worded statement, Socialist Party President Fred M’membe has launched a blistering critique of President Hakainde Hichilema and his United Party for National Development (UPND), accusing the administration of deep-seated hypocrisy, political manipulation, and moral detachment from the Zambian people.
In a post titled “ZAMBIA TWASEBANA!” — meaning “Zambia, we have embarrassed ourselves!” — M’membe expressed grave concern over what he termed “a dangerous political culture” rooted in arrogance and denial. According to him, the current leadership portrays itself as intellectually superior, leaving no room for dissent, humility, or introspection.
“With Mr Hichilema and his league, everybody else is expected to remain silent, blind, and domesticated like animals,” M’membe stated, denouncing what he believes is a deliberate silencing of alternative voices.
He accused the UPND of engaging in “manipulation, deflection and denial,” suggesting that the ruling party often shifts blame to victims instead of taking accountability. “Even when publicly called out,” he added, “they offer no explanations, empathy, or apologies only more deflection.”
The opposition leader’s remarks come amid rising public frustration over perceived insensitivity and governance shortcomings. While the government has not responded directly to M’membe’s latest remarks, UPND officials in recent days have dismissed similar criticisms as politically motivated and unsubstantiated.
However, M’membe insists this is more than political rivalry, it’s a moral crisis.
“It is deeply unfortunate that a country as hopeful and promising as Zambia is being led by people who seem so detached from the basic tenets of humanity, justice, and truth,” he lamented.
Calling for what he termed a “return to conscience leadership,” M’membe urged citizens to demand a leadership style that prioritizes compassion, humility, and moral integrity.
This is not the first time the Socialist Party has publicly condemned the UPND. M’membe has long positioned himself as a vocal critic of what he sees as the neoliberal elitism of the current administration. But this latest message , invoking God, conscience, and national shame is among his most emotionally charged yet.
As Zambia continues to navigate economic hardship, rising inequality, and political polarization, such statements reflect a broader debate over the country’s direction and the credibility of those in power.
“May God help Zambia,” M’membe concluded, placing the burden not just on leaders but on a society grappling with what kind of nation it wants to become.
I think the opposition are forgetting the log in their own eye and looking at the speck in other people’s eyes.
Until H.E. Lungu died, most of us Zambians were not aware he was ill. They wanted to and are still using him and consequently his death for political mileage. When you add the Christian nation spice to the soup, indeed “twasebana”.
Let us see which faction God will support. I am neither UPND nor PF, because you are one and the same.
How about the log in the ruling parties eye. What ever they condemned in opposition, they have embraced and enhanced to the fullest. Look at the extended loashedding now, their economy was worsened with prices worse than before, the bill 10 they condemned has been resurrected. The UPND economy started nose diving when they took over and even before the drought, check the stats and the dates and prove me wrong
Muntu
Your statement just qualifies how arrogant, insensitive, uncompromising, manipulative, detached, unyielding and careless.
Indeed, may the good Lord help us through.
Hypocrisy is using an ailing person for political mileage simply because they have unfettered resources. You opposition lot are gold diggers that are failing to accept that your new role is that of grave diggers.
What about even using a dead body for political mileage, imagine
Hmmmmm.. St. Desperacious
Grave diggers..lol
Lusaka Times has hypocrisy. They don’t like my non aligned comment but dividing articles like this one by M’membe.
Cde Member is also joining the political vultures circling round the body of the late president ???
Unfortunately the lungu family, under investigation them selves , have let themselves to be highjacked by these PF political vultures………..
You can’t blame GRZ for taking a watch and wait stance……..have you seen how much they are seeking relevance over the death of the late president ????
Even ready to falsely sacrifice themselves on a cross in blaming the president HH….
Very unfortunate that this poor family has been highjacked in their grief and sorrow
FWD2031
These comments do not help. HH has been quiet. When ECL, who was in South Africa not far from the Zambian High Commission, died the information was not filtered to the government and yet these same people expected an announcement based on hearsay. GRZ cannot announce without confirmation by High Commission staff. And now we keep talking about unity and mourning in dignity but our language and action is opposite.
GRZ belongs to the people not the leaders. The people always have the last laugh. Just remember that.