By Isaac Zulu
The atrocities of the PF made us to be voted out of power, says Raphael Nakachinda.
Speaking when he featured on Hot FM Radio programme dubbed: “Hot Seat” on Thursday, Nakachinda explained that after losing power to the UPND in last year’s general elections, the former ruling party took some introspection and one of the reasons that led to the Patriot Front being voted out of power was “the atrocities that the PF allegedly committed against the Zambian people,” adding that this is why the PF leadership has taken it upon itself to apologise to the Zambian citizenry and is currently understanding the rebranding process.
Nakachinda, who is the PF member of central committee chairman for information and publicity, pointed out that there were some manifestation of traits of arrogance during the PF regime, “just like was the case with the 20 years of the MMD government.”
“There were some traits of arrogance during the 10 years that the PF stayed in power just like was the case during the 20 years that the MMD stayed in government. The atrocities of the PF made us to be voted out of power,” Nakachinda said during a radio programme monitored by Daily Revelation. “And that is why we have taken responsibility for that and apologising to the Zambian people and, we have embarked on the process of rebranding.”
Nakachinda charged that the UPND leadership has become arrogant too early, stating that it is this arrogance that has even made President Hakainde Hichilema to refuse to move to Nkwazi House, which is the official residence for the Head of State; saying “if they continue on this trajectory they will lose power very soon.”
“But our colleagues in the UPND have just been in government for eight months and they have become arrogant. They are already drunk with political power. Aba beve bakolewa fast. And that is why we now have a Republican President in Hakainde Hichilema who is publicly telling us that he cannot move to Nkwazi House. What is inimical about shifting to State House when all the former presidents lived there? If the UPND continue on this trajectory, they will soon lose power,” said Nakachinda. “Now we are hearing that they want to put up some facility at Community House just for the benefit of President Hakainde Hichilema. I think that that is abuse of office.”
He further stated that President Hakainde Hichilema risks leaving a legacy of being a Republican President who abused state institutions, instead of respecting the rule of law, adding that under the UPND administration separation of powers has become compromised.
“The UPND government has now resorted to abusing state institutions that include the Zambia Police, the Anti-Corruption Commission, Drug Enforcement Commission and the office of Director of Public Prosecution. The UPND administration is trying to hound out the DPP out of her office and this has tarnished the UPND government’s image to the international community. Separation of powers has already been compromised under the UPND administration, and yet they have only been in government for eight months. President Hakainde Hichilema is likely to leave a legacy of abusing state institutions, instead of of the respect for rule of law,” said Nakachinda.
He also took time to counsel Presidential spokesperson Anthony Bwalya.
“And my advice to Anthony Bwalya is that don’t be emotional when issuing those statements. There’s no harm in consulting. Anthony Bwalya should not shy away from consulting those that held that office before you. There are people like Mr Richard Sakala, George Chellah, Dickson Jere, Amos Chanda and others that worked in that office that you are occupying today. Take time to consult them,” said Nakachinda.
