Zambia’s Socialist Party President Dr Fred M’membe issued a statement criticizing what he described as selective concern over online abuse after President Hakainde Hichilema raised alarm about an image circulating online depicting him in a coffin.
In the statement titled “Do Unto Others: Hichilema, Hypocrisy and the Coffin Image,” Dr M’membe began by condemning the image itself, saying “such content is distasteful, inappropriate and unacceptable.” He added that “regardless of our political differences, we must ensure that public discourse remain grounded in acceptable civility and respect.”
Dr M’membe then argued that the issue of online abuse did not begin with the coffin image, saying that “online abuse, cyber bullying and character assassination are not new in our political environment.” He stated that for years, “Mr Hichilema’s political opponents and citizens alike have been subjected to cyberbullying, defamation and coordinated harassment by rogue media platforms associated with UPND and State House.”
He specifically named “Zambian Watchdog and Koswe,” claiming they “have daily published abusive, defamatory and damaging content without reprimand or accountability.” Dr M’membe said, “I have been a consistent victim of such abuses.”
According to Dr M’membe, this history shaped public reaction to the controversy. He said “many citizens question why certain incidents like the President in a coffin, suddenly receive urgent national attention and action while others are ignored.” He asked, “Does cyber crime only become intolerable when it targets Mr Hichilema?” and also asked, “What about the many citizens who endure similar abuse and attacks frequently without protection or justice?”
He argued that “such selective efforts to combat cyber abuse undermine the credibility of genuinely fighting online abuse.”
Dr M’membe also linked the coffin image controversy to the unresolved burial of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. He said it was “equally concerning” that Mr Hichilema found the coffin image “distasteful and offensive,” yet “he has not publicly expressed same discomfort over the prolonged delay in the burial of his predecessor, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.”
Referring to “cultural, moral and biblical teachings,” Dr M’membe cited the phrase “from dust to dust,” which he said emphasized “the importance of honoring the deceased with timely and dignified burial.”
He described the matter in personal terms, stating, “As a citizen of Zambia, and as a human being, this issue is deeply troubling.” He added, “It is extremely difficult to find sleep knowing that former President Lungu remains imprisoned in a fridge nine months after his death.”
Dr M’membe then questioned Mr Hichilema, asking, “How does Mr Hichilema manage to sleep at night knowing that the person who handed him the Instruments of Power has not yet been laid to rest in dignity and peace?” He continued with further questions, including: “if a former President can be treated in such a manner, what assurance exists for the ordinary citizen?” and “What type of human beings or leaders are these?”
He stated, “I refuse to accept that such actions are carried out in my name as a Zambian,” and added, “I will continue to speak out, without fear or intimidation, until dignity, respect and appropriate closure is afforded to Mr Lungu and his family.”
In closing, Dr M’membe said Mr Hichilema “must reflect on why these incidences continue to happen despite the enactment of the draconian Cyber Security and Cyber Crime Act.” He argued that “the challenge goes beyond one offensive image” and said the situation “clearly demonstrates that even the most stringent laws cannot be respected by citizens if they are applied selectively and with political bias.”
He ended the statement with the words, “Takwaba ichalo bateka nakapatulula ka musango uyu. We can do better.”
“I refuse to accept that such actions are carried out in my name as a Zambian,”
Even me as a Zambian i agree with your statement above, ECL must be burried
Where does it say the President is in the way of Mr Lungu getting buried? However, if foreign leaders are to attend the funeral it can only be the President who can receive them.
Everything thing about the burial is done in the presidents name NOT SO
Was the feud/bitterness with the zambian people or HH
Foreign leaders can be received by anybody delegated to do so
The simplest issue in the world, this one. Respect the wishes of the family.
And there is no bitterness here, the deceased left instructions. And the family is just following instructions, and i commend them for not betraying the deceased. There is infact no need to be asking for proof.. And in any case there is no constitutional requirement in Zambia asking the state to take over a funeral of a former head of state. If you want to argue with me cite the specific clause in the constitution, there is absolutely none of such provision.
No where is that written? Any govt representative can welcome a foreign dignitary. In this case there will be only imagined foreign leaders turning up so HH can imagine receiving them
This slave tree chap must be the first to be recalled from our embassy after change of government, especially that his understanding of protocol appears shallow
It was satire, as always the man missed the point
After winning elections, HH lost his sense of humor
A politician on the side of free speech wouldn’t have supported Cyber security laws.
They are designed to attack political critics. Show me one man in the street who has charged a fellow citizen under these cyber laws. It’s always used for political enemies or issues.
The myth that the President needs to be at every state function or ceremony is mind boggling, what if he is sick on that day. Ever heard of delegation of authority? The argument that the head of state at all costs must attend ECLs funeral is absurd. Foreign heads of state travel all the time, are they always received by the host head of state the answer is no.
They are. If a President or one who is a rank lower isn’t available a state visit is canceled. It happens.
Africans shouldnt confuse this with your common begging or shopping visits to Europe which are unofficial.
With everybody conveniently forgetting that the late ECL did the same to KK. Guy wished to be buried besides Mama Betty.
Christian nation indeed! Where you are supposed to love thy neighbor.
Kuzondana kweka kweka!