Citizens Told To 'Mask Up' As PF Accused Of Politicisation

All citizens have been advised to wear masks when in public in a bid to prevent the further spread of Covid-19 in Zambia.

While some are struggling to get hold of masks, which are in short supply, a number of companies and individuals have made donations in a bid to boost supplies and ensure compliance with the directive. These masks should make their way to poor Zambians.

Among those donating masks are the Presidential Empowerment Initiative Fund, which has purchased face masks worth K25,000 from local tailors, thus creating work for small businesses and boosting supplies of the important item. The group’s National Coordinator Clement Tembo has stated that the initiative will benefit all Zambians, regardless of their political affiliation.

However, some have criticised the branding of some of these masks as PF, thereby politicising them.

The United Party National Development (UPND) has questioned the move, with the group’s Youth League Tweeting, “At a time when we should hold hands as a people to confront our common enemy - #COVID19, the PF is choosing a destructive and chaotic path of politicizing an issue that must unite us all in common purpose. This must be much more than seeking to score political points.”

UPND Lusaka Province Chair Obvious Mwaliteta has also criticised the move stating, “How ungodly can a regime be to always be taking advantage of people’s suffering for them to always be campaigning like they have equally done with the hunger situation where they are donating PF branded mealie meal.”