UPND Dismisses Vote-Buying Allegations
Obvious Mwaliteta has rejected allegations that the UPND is buying votes in Chawama, insisting that the distribution of mealie-meal in the constituency does not amount to voter inducement and should not be criminalised simply because a by-election is taking place.
Mwaliteta’s defence centres on the claim that assistance being provided is either directed at party structures or falls within the continuation of government programmes, which, he says, cannot be suspended on account of an electoral contest. He maintains that feeding people should not be equated with bribery.
That defence emerged only after events on the ground in Chawama drew public scrutiny.
UPND candidate Morgan Muunde has been openly associated with the distribution of truckloads of mealie-meal during the by-election campaign. The timing and visibility of the exercise triggered questions from journalists, who asked whether the activity amounted to bribing voters.
Muunda did not deny the distribution. He dismissed the concern outright.
“What bribe? People are hungry. You want to tell me about vote buying? If the opposition could, they would also do the same thing. Corruption is only bad when it’s being done against you,” Muunde said.
It is this statement, and the conduct surrounding it, that placed Mwaliteta in the position of having to defend the party.
The remarks reframed the issue from legality to justification, effectively arguing that need overrides electoral rules and that wrongdoing becomes acceptable depending on who is accused. That reasoning struck at the heart of the standards the UPND once claimed to embody.
As the controversy escalated, UPND Deputy Spokesperson Elvis Nkandu also weighed in, stating that the party would not buy votes in Chawama while insisting that government programmes would continue. The attempt to separate party activity from state intervention, however, only sharpened the contradiction.
Government programmes are expected to be predictable, non-partisan, and evenly applied. They are not expected to intensify in a single constituency during a by-election, nor to require political defence when questioned.
This concern was explicitly raised by Transparency International Zambia. Its Executive Director, Maurice Nyambe, warned that government must ensure state machinery, public funds, and government programmes are not used to influence voters in the Chawama by-election. The warning was specific, timely, and directly relevant to the unfolding events.
Mwaliteta’s defence therefore goes beyond routine political rebuttal. It reflects a party under pressure to explain conduct that sits uncomfortably with its past rhetoric on corruption, inducement, and abuse of incumbency.
The issue is not whether hunger exists. It does. The issue is whether hunger is being used as a political instrument in a competitive electoral environment.
When distinctions have to be drawn between “voters” and “foot soldiers,” and when party officials are forced into semantic defences, the ethical line is already blurred.
Chawama has become a test of consistency. The UPND came to power condemning handouts, vote buying, and the misuse of state resources for political gain. Those positions were clear and uncompromising.
Today, similar practices are being justified rather than rejected. Obvious Mwaliteta may be defending the party as reported, but the circumstances requiring that defence speak louder than any denial. Chawama has exposed the tension between principle and power, and Zambians are watching to see which one prevails.
As if they would ever agree
But but but HH is a devout Christian of SDA faith so his principles and values wouldn’t allow him to stoop that low to do such an evil thing.HH is a man of integrity , a man of high ethical standards.
“……… People are hungry. You want to tell me about vote buying? If the opposition could, they would also do the same thing. Corruption is only bad when it’s being done against you,” Muunde said…”
This is bad for GRZ…….where did you get this du.lll chap from ????
First he is admitting failure of GRZ as there is hunger , then………..
Welcoming and accepting corruption ???………..
No , only PF do this,…………….?
What a bad reflection on GRZ, outrageous, disgraceful………..
I hope that corrupt Muunde loses, better a loss than having such a du.lll corrupt chatalan representing UPND……….
FWD
People are being fooled by electricity coming back on full force, reduction of fuel and now distribution of mealie meal, and just wait after the elections, good lord.
Who in the world would expect them to admit
Same applies to all the so called gifts due to be dished out in the name of enpowerment or whatever new name they give it
But Tikki surely that was the modus operandi of your deceased Edgar Lungu and his PF .
Wacha unafiki na uongo wewe.
People are being fooled by promises of electricity coming back on full force, reduction of fuel and now distribution of mealie meal, just wait after the elections, good lord
Some years back there was a by-election in Eastern Province when General Godfrey Miyanda was then a minister without portfolio, he was in the area to distribute some mealie meal to the eletorates . When reporters asked him why he was doing it at a time of voting, his answer was ‘ it falls within the continuation of government programmes’. These politicians, it’s copy and paste. I have always supported the General, but that statement coming from him really disappointed me.
Problem is some have short memories
Leave the respected General Miyanda out of your nonsense please. UPND is a totally failed project. What serves you is that the opposition is in ICU, some with your help
People are being fooled, that electricity will come on full force, fuel will be reduced, and now mealie meal, just wait until the end of the elections.
Sontapo!
Lusaka times, whatever it is, has been compromised
Our posts don’t seem not to be published, which is a shame, always stating is being moderated
Crazy UPND
‘It is not load shedding although you have no lights’
‘the Kwacha isn’t depreciating although you need more of it for forex’
‘it’s not because of approaching elections that HH doesn’t fly too much’
Yes ‘ mealie distribution should not be criminalised simply because a by-election is taking place’
But Zambians! You can see the lies and you will believe these big fat politicians who you are gonna make fatter?