HH READY TO USE UNDERHAND METHODS – SICHINGA

The political temperature in Zambia continues to rise as opposition figures intensify their scrutiny of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) administration. Socialist Party (SP) vice-president Bob Sichinga recently launched a scathing attack on President Hakainde Hichilema, alleging that the Head of State is increasingly desperate to cling to power and is prepared to deploy underhand methods to secure victory in the forthcoming general elections. Speaking to the press, Sichinga pointed to remarks previously attributed to President Hichilema regarding the use of political maneuvers or 'imingalato' to maintain his hold on the presidency. According to the SP vice-president, such terminology is not only dangerous but serves as a clear indicator that the ruling establishment is strategizing to structurally disadvantage political opposition groups. Sichinga argued that these tactics run counter to the democratic principles that the current administration vowed to uphold when they assumed office following the watershed 2021 elections. To substantiate these claims, Sichinga drew attention to recent high-profile detentions within the political landscape, including the police custody of former Gwembe Member of Parliament Brian Ntundu at the Ridgeway Police Post. The detention reportedly followed Ntundu's refusal to withdraw his parliamentary candidature, an incident that Sichinga characterized as a gross infringement on individual political rights and evidence of executive overreach. He asserted that treating citizens and political actors as personal property demonstrates a disturbing authoritarian streak reminiscent of past regimes that Zambians resoundingly rejected. Furthermore, the opposition stalwart criticized the ruling party's internal dynamics, claiming that the administration has sought to stifle independent democratic participation by discouraging party members from contesting positions as independent candidates. Sichinga maintained that such