By Staff Reporter
The Kabwata by-election result is a victory for PF despite it being a loss, says Lupososhi member of parliament (PF) Emmanuel Mpankata.
Speaking with Daily Revelation on the narrow election victory in Kabwata of the UPND after their candidate Andrew Tayengwa polled 13,574 ahead of PF’s Clement Tembo who polled 11,192 and the Socialist Party’s Tripher Ng’andu who polled 1,849 among others, compared with the 38,665 late UPND’s Levy Mkandawire got ahead of his closest PF opponent Danny Yenga at 31,675, Mpankata said he considered the results as a victory because it showed that PF was still standing after many thought that the party was down and out following the resounding loss in the August 2021 general elections.
“This is a victory for PF, and if you look at the combined opposition vote, UPND lost this election. It means they didn’t have the will of the people. People rejected them. So it’s a victory for PF. We are happy with these results…it shows that in Kabwata they are not wanted, just three kilometers from community house,” Mpankata, the first ever PF member of parliament elected to parliament in 2001, said.
He said during the time the PF enjoyed dominance in urban areas from 2006 until they lost it in 2021, but it has only taken six months for the UPND to lose their standing with the electorate, saying it was clear they were a government on their way out. However, the same argument can be used against those in PF that they too were in charge of the area barely six months ago until they lost to the UPND.
“It already shows a government on its way out and people have lost confidence in them,” he said.
Mpankata claimed that the PF would have won the election if the playing field were level, accusing the UPND of using underhand methods of intimidation and police brutality to win.
He said the people have quickly realised the fake promises of President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND, saying the outcome in Kabwata should send warning signs for them that people were fatigued by fake promises of just “talking talking and traveling” by the President.
“People want action in their daily lives. The UPND should brace itself for defeat in 2026 because Zambians can no longer be cheated. Clement Tembo must not relent, he should continue visiting the constituency,” said Mpankata. “It’s very shameful for them to celebrate. What are they celebrating? Celebrating when people are hungry, fuel is expensive? What are they celebrating? Celebrating the figures, 13,000 against 11,000?”
Given the apathy which characterized the by-election as compared to the general election, the UPND vote margin reduced by 25,091 while the PF’s reduced by 20,483.
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