By Angela Moonga
Citizens First (CF) leader Harry Kalaba has written President Hakainde Hichilema, urging him to self-introspect over his failure to fulfil camping promises, which he said has contributed significantly to the anger and disillusionment in people.
In a letter addressed to President Hakainde Hichilema dated November 12, 2025, Kalaba told the President that much as his stoning incident was regrettable, but his administration must share part of the blame on account of his unfulfilled promises to the Zambians.
He stated that he wrote to the President as a party leader and concerned citizen who desired to see peace, unity and progress in the nation, stressing that the incident in which Hichilema and his delegation were pelted with stones at Chiwempala market in Chingola was deeply regrettable and must be condemned in the strongest terms.
He stated that violence in any form had no place in a democracy, but President Hichilema and his administration equally had a part to play in the matter.
“However, Your Excellency, while condemning the riotous behavior, it is equally important that this incident is not met with emotional reactions or threats against the residents of Chingola. Instead, it calls for sober reflection and a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of the people’s frustration,” Kalaba stated. “The people of Chingola, like many across the Copperbelt, continue to wallow in poverty and despair. Their situation today is worse than it was before the 2021 general elections.”
Kalaba argued that the cries of the residents were not isolated as they reflected the pain of the people over unfulfilled promises.
The cries of the residents are not isolated as they reflect the pain of the people of the entire Copperbelt, especially towns like Mufulira, Kitwe, and even in Mufumbwe of North-Western Province. In all these areas, opportunities in the mining sector have been monopolised by outsiders, while the local people who are the true custodians of the mineral wealth remain marginalised and unemployed,” Kalaba stated. “Mr President, one of the major promises you made to the small-scale miners, popularly known as Jerabos, was to formalise their operations through the issuance of mining licences. The failure to fulfil this commitment has contributed significantly to the anger and disillusionment among the youth of the Copperbelt.”
Kalaba argued that the unfulfilled promises of reducing the cost of living, lowering fuel prices, and ending load-shedding had left many citizens feeling betrayed and hopeless.
“It is therefore imperative that part of the blame for the chaos that unfolded in Chingola be accepted by your administration,” Kalaba stated. “The people’s outburst is a symptom of deeper socio-economic frustration, not mere political mischief. This should be a time for self-introspection for you, Mr President, for your party officials, and indeed for all of us in leadership.”
He urged President Hichilema to move his government in taking practical and visible steps to alleviate the suffering of the people, especially in the mining communities, to prevent similar occurrences in future.
“We further call for measured and coordinated communication from Government spokespersons and UPND functionaries on this sensitive matter, so as not to escalate tensions or threaten the peace-loving residents of Chingola,” stated Kalaba. “Your Excellency, leadership is most tested in times of adversity. This is such a moment, a moment not for threats, but for empathy; not for retaliation, but for reform. Please accept, Mr President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
