PF Plotting To Disrupt Lungu’s Monze Trip, Blame UPND

UPND National Chairperson Mutale Nalumengo has accused members of the PF of deliberately plotting to disrupt President Lungu’s trip to Southern Province in order to blame Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND. 

During a press briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday, Ms. Nalumango said the PF had lined up a number of its most violent cadres to boo President Lungu during his visit to Southern Province tomorrow, before blaming the disruption on the UPND. 

The supposed belligerents include militia member Eddy Gowa (aka America 1), deputy PF national mobilisation chairperson Bizwell Mutale, and former Siavonga District Commissioner Brave Mweetwa. 

Ms Nalumengo warned Zambians attending the visit: “We are aware that former Siavonga DC Brave Mweetwa and a guy of Mozambiquan origin called Eddie Gowa commonly known as ‘America 1’ are involved. These are some of the people hired to cause confusion and blame it on HH and the UPND”. 

She further accused the PF of attempting to exclude UPND president Hakainde Hichilema from next year’s general elections, saying that President Lungu was looking for any reason to arrest the opposition leader. 

“We are aware that President Lungu wants to arrest president Hichilema because he doesn’t want to see his name on the ballot paper come 2021. Lungu also intends to buy some councillors to create by-elections”.

“We [are] aware that PF thugs will be present in Monze and Maala along the route of President Lungu and his entourage for them to disrupt his tour. They want to do this they can blame it on HH and UPND,’ she added. 

The National Chair advised UPND members to stay away from President Lungu’s activities in Southern Province so as not to give the PF any excuse to arrest Mr Hichilema. 

Mr Hichilema echoed these instructions himself, urging members to go about their business peacefully and to avoid provocation. 

Ms Nalumengo warned the government that such tactics should not even be considered in a democracy.

“We would like to warn the PF that such as a scheme is evil and criminal and should not be allowed at all.”