By Jane Chanda
Citizens First Party President Harry Kalaba says the UPND are experts of corruption, adding that President Hakainde Hichilema has turned against the youths who ushered him into office.
And Kalaba said the UPND government was taking steps to unbundle ZESCO and sell it to a UK-based firm, raising concerns about the motives behind the decision and the potential implications for the country’s electricity supply.
Speaking at a media briefing today, Kalaba claimed that the current government had taken corruption to unprecedented heights, making the previous government look like “child’s play” in comparison.
He called on the government to provide clear explanations for their actions and urged the media to hold them accountable and shed more light on the matter.
“We urge the media to ask them why they want to do this, so that they can be held accountable and shed more light on the matter,” he said.
And Kalaba asserted that the UPND was using the fight against corruption as a means of intimidating opposition members into joining the ruling party, noting that opposition leaders with pending cases against them had their cases expunged after crossing over to the current regime.
He said they were effectively buying their freedom, and exposing a glaring lack of integrity within the government.
Kalaba further said the nation was experiencing state capture, the magnitude of which had never been known before.
Kalaba also warned that continuing with this kind of leadership beyond 2026 would lead to total bankruptcy of the country.
On the upcoming Petauke-Central by-elections elections, Kalaba urged citizens to register as voters and support opposition candidates.
“I am therefore, appealing to all the citizens within the reach of my voice to do everything within your means to ensure that you encourage at least 5 people to register as voters,” he said.
Kalaba encouraged voters to accept any gifts from the UPND, but to vote for opposition candidates nonetheless.
“I would personally like to encourage the voters to take whatever the UPND gives you, even if it is seeds, fertiliser or money, just get them but when it comes to voting, make sure you vote for an opposition candidate that will be supported by the alliance given the opportunity to starehold the country,” he said.
Kalaba expressed his hope that opposition leaders would unite to field a single candidate in all by-elections, emphasising that this solidarity was crucial in stopping the current leadership in the next general elections.
