By Angela Moonga
The abduction of acting PF president Given Lubinda by suspected UPND cadres represents a dangerous and unacceptable shift in Zambia’s political culture, says Citizens First (CF) leader Harry Kalaba.
In a press statement issued today, Kalaba urged the UPND leadership to publicly and decisively denounce all acts of political violence and ensure that perpetrators were brought to book, regardless of their political affiliation.
“We strongly condemns the brutal attack and abduction of Patriotic Front (PF) Acting president Given Lubinda in Kabwe today at the hands of suspected United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres,” Kalaba stated. “This attack is not only disturbing but represents a dangerous and unacceptable shift in our political culture. If left unchecked, this emerging pattern of intimidation, violence, and lawlessness risks taking root in our country, threatening the democratic values we have protected for decades.”
Kalaba argued that the new culture of abductions, harassment and intimidation must be nipped in the bud immediately as it tarnished Zambia’s image in the eyes of the international community and undermined the country’s long-standing reputation as a beacon of peace and democracy in the region.
“This violence must stop now. It has the potential to further escalate an already charged political environment, risking chaos and instability as the nation heads toward next year’s general elections,” Kalaba stated. “Zambia has, for decades, been celebrated for its peaceful and orderly transitions of power, a legacy admired both regionally and globally. This impeccable record built through the collective commitment of generations should not be sacrificed by anyone for political expediency.
Kalaba continued: “Citizens First calls on all political actors, law-enforcement agencies, civil-society organisations, and citizens to uphold the rule of law, preserve peace, and defend our democracy. Zambia belongs to all of us, and we must not allow violence to define our political future.”
