RB’S “PUPPY” CHAINED DURING MUFUMBWE BY ELECTIONS

“Don’t let my puppy out, keep it indoors until the voting period in Mufumbwe closes.”

This seemed to be the situation in the recently held Mufumbwe by elections after opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema was forced to stay indoors in his room at some lodge during the voting time.
The opposition leader who Zambian President Rupiah Banda calls his puppy was told that his presence in the polling stations would steer further violence which has left many cadres both from the opposition and ruling party with serious life long scars.
Mr. Hichilema’s camp accused the police of placing their leader under illegal house arrest. However acting police service spokesperson Moses Suwali who was on the ground in Mufumbwe says the police has no power to place any one under house arrest. He has stated that the move was just meant to prevent the opposition leader from going closer to any polling station during voting as it was tantamount to indirect campaign.
Sleazy tricks by the UPND leader to dodge the police on claims that he was in the area as an election observer were not convincing enough hence he had no option but stay indoors as the place was heavily guarded by armed police officers.
The puppy was in chains through out while the father (President Banda) was in Lusaka anxiously waiting to hear his candidate Mulonda Muzungu take the day, unfortunately that was not the case as amidst heavy tension and violence in the two camps the UPND carried the day.
Various stakeholders have described the violence in Mufumbwe as barbaric, ancient and un-Zambian. Others have stated that the President who is the father of the nation should not sink so low to start trivializing politics through personal attacks.
Campaign period
While Mufumbwe situated in the North Western province of Zambia faces serious challenges of poor road networks, lack of health facilities and serious unemployment among the youth, politicians were busy talking about each others looks at demonizing each other during campaigns at the expense of serious issues.
Marcopolo buses carrying hundreds of blood thirsty cadres from both the opposition and ruling parties travelled from Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces to tear up Mufumbwe and anything that blocked there way including the Inspector General of Police who could not contain the pressure put on him by the cadres.
Mr. Kabonde who is the top dog in Zambia’s police service looked like a simple police officer straight from school in Lilayi scared for his life when confronted by hungry wolf like carders who broke wind screens of cars at the police post in full view of his watchful eyes but powerless body.
He looked like a toothless bull dog compared to late Super Cop Wazakaza Nguni who was Lusaka province Commanding Officer who feared no one and nothing.
By Brian Mwale.