There are several factors that could have motivated Kaunda to say, “adios” to democracy and usher in the one-party state. While some argue that Kaunda believed multiparty democracy would further polarise the nation and pave way to sectarian groups masquerading as political parties, others insisted it was a ploy to crush any dissent and clip the wings of rivals eyeing his position, and hence perpetuate his hold on power. For instance, many political parties had conspicuous tribal inclinations; the African National Congress (ANC) mainly hankered its support in Southern and Central provinces, the United Party (UP) commanded a good following in N/western and Western provinces while the United Progressive Party (UPP) enjoyed massive support in predominantly Bemba speaking regions. If you come to think of this, Kaunda’s reasoning may to a certain extent have been justified. The only panacea to cure the nation of the palpable division that had been fast taking root in the nation just after independence was to rally everyone under one umbrella political party – UNIP!
However, others hold a contrary view. According to Copperbelt based historian, Haggai Muzeya, Kaunda’s desire to create a one-party state was long conceived and influenced by many factors, particularly the prototype one-party states of Eastern Europe which principally wiped out any form of opposition to their respective regimes. These are the same factors that inspired Kaunda’s opponents to fight for the return of multiparty politics following the collapse of one-party states in Eastern Europe from 1989 to 1991.
Prof. Bizeck Jube Phiri, a professor of history at the University of Zambia shares the same views. He writes as follows in his book, A political history of Zambia; from the colonial period to the 3rd Republic, “While President Kaunda emerged stronger after his political gamble from 1968 when he briefly resigned as party president, UNIP as a party was increasingly weakened. Its grip on power was no longer a fait accompli. In response to this, President Kaunda started moving towards a one-party state, not so much as a process of nation-building, but as a strategy of maintaining UNIP’s political dominance and thereby his own in Zambia.”
With the ghost of his Malawian heritage ever rattling in his closet, Kaunda was possibly mindful his political opponents would use this as weapon to discredit and de campaign him. It is therefore hardly surprising that he resorted to eliminating any imaginable competition that stood in his path. It was just a matter of time before he proscribed the United Party (UP) led by one of his former cabinet ministers and prominent Lozi politician, Nalumino Mundia, formed in 1966 after it put up a strong showing in parliamentary by-elections held in Lukulu.
In the nick of time, he would go for Kapwepwe’s throat when he committed as grave sin of breaking away from UNIP early 1972 to form his own political party, the United Progressive Party (UPP) mainly drawing its support from amongst the Bemba-speaking people. During a parliamentary by-election held in Mufulira later that year, the party’s torch-bearer, John Chisala defeated the UNIP candidate with a landslide margin despite being blocked from campaigning in the area. Kapwepwe simply walked through Mufulira one day, and that was enough to galvanise massive support for his newly formed UPP. The party was shortly banned, citing security concerns and Kapwepwe was consequently condemned to prison!
In due course, Kaunda appointed the Chona Commission under the chairmanship of Mainza Chona. Chona’s task was to make recommendations for a new constitution, taking into consideration the recent political developments around the country and make the necessary recommendations to the government.
What the Commission was doing was simply playing to the gallery; it was a foregone conclusion that the country was headed towards the one-party state. For example, the Commission’s terms of reference did not permit it to discuss the possible shortcomings on the part of Kaunda, but instead concentrated on practical details of switching to a one-party state. The 1964 Independence Constitution was subsequently amended and the One – Party State Act was effectively enacted. On December 13, 1972, Zambia became a One-Party State. The amendment obviously provided that UNIP shall be the only political party in the land rendering formation of any political party unlawful. With the advent of the One-Party State, UNIP effectively assumed supremacy over Cabinet.
Prince Bill M. Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst
Zambezi
Well we did ask for it and deserve it
These politicians are all the same from time immemorial. They always want to block competition. Look at how they have tried very hard to crush PF. If you are given a job, you have to do it, and if you do it well, then there will be no need for propaganda and self praise. If you work ,It will be like burkina fasso where it is the massess thanking and praising the government, and not the government self praising themselves. Aliko Dangote told us in the face – if you have worked, you dont have to explain, your works will speak for you