By Isaac Zulu
PF should change its leadership as opposed to just talking about rebranding and rebuilding, Historian Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa has observed.
And Dr Sishuwa said he was inspired by the inauguration speech delivered by President Hakainde Hichilema.
Speaking during the Radio Phienix’s Let the People Talk programmes, Dr Sishuwa said PF should hold an extra-ordinary convention where party members can be elected, as opposed to allowing party president Edgar Lungu to appoint individuals to the Central Committee.
“For the PF to remain viable and relevant on the Zambian political scene, there’s need for this former ruling party to change its leadership; as opposed to just talking about re-branding and rebuilding. Edgar Lungu should not be the one to appoint party leaders or Members of the Central Committee. This should be done by PF members during an extra ordinary convention. That is what democracy demands,” observed Dr Sishuwa.
Dr Sishuwa further said that in his inaugural speech, President Hichilema highlighted his administration’s commitment to restore the rule of law, enhance democracy and the need to bring sanity in bus stations and markets by removing political party cadres from the said public places, which he said was lacking in the Patriotic Front regime.
“That inaugural speech by President Hakainde Hichilema is inspiring, not only to me, but to many Zambians. He talked about the UPND’s commitment to restore the rule of law enhance democracy in the country. And he called for the need to bring sanity in trading places and bus stations by removing political cadres from these public places,” said Dr Sishuwa. “All these aspects were lacking in the Patriotic Front administration.”
He also praised former president Edgar Lungu for “the smooth transition of power.”
“I was inside Heroes Stadium on Tuesday. And I was impressed with how Edgar Lungu presided over the transition. It was a smooth transition of power, which Edgar Lungu ensured was done in line with the provisions of the Constitution. It was different from the one we witnessed when the UNIP government under Dr Kenneth Kaunda was handing over power to the MMD under the leadership of Dr Frederick Chiluba in 1991. Dr Kaunda never even appeared to come and hand over power. The whole event was characterised with chaos. So Edgar Lungu deserves some praise for handing over power in an honourable manner,” said Dr Sishuwa.
He charged that most individuals that were serving in the the PF Cabinet lacked basic skills and competence.
“Edgar Lungu was surrounded by people that should have not been near the President. People like Stephen Kampyongo, Jean Kapata, Kaizer Zulu, Amos Chanda and many others should have not been anywhere near the President. This is one thing that President Hakainde Hichilema should avoid at all cost,” explained Dr Sishuwa.
Zambian lawyer based abroad Elias Munshya has charged that the Patriotic Front was a bunch of liars and arrogant human beings.
He accused the PF of being deceitful to the Zambian people.
“So the PF should go back and apologise to the people of Zambia for their lies, for their theft and arrogance. They should go and apologise to the people of Chiwempala [and] the people of Milenge,” Munshya said. “We also noticed that some PF party cadres and those with connections to the PF leadership were busy registering some construction companies and being given government contracts.”
Munshya called on the UPND government to embark on Constitutional reforms.
“And this should, ultimately, be done with a view to ensuring that the Constitution is written in a clear and simple language so that majority Zambians can comprehend the contents of this important document,” he added.
