THE BEATING OF A FORMER PF SECRETARY GENERAL IS A TEST OF PRESIDENT HH’S COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW

The recent physical assault and public humiliation of former Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Davies Mwila within court premises has sent shockwaves through the Zambian political landscape. This regrettable incident serves as a crucial litmus test for President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration, challenging its repeated pledges to eradicate cadreism and enforce the rule of law impartially. As details of the confrontation emerge, civil society and citizens alike are closely watching to see how the executive branch and law enforcement agencies will respond to acts of politically motivated violence. During the 2021 general elections, the Zambian electorate voted overwhelmingly for change, explicitly rejecting the era of political thuggery and intimidation that had often characterized the tenure of the previous administration. Citizens expected that a change in political leadership would usher in a new political culture founded on mutual respect, democratic tolerance, and institutional accountability. However, incidents like the one witnessed at the court premises demonstrate that the remnants of violent political cadreism continue to plague the nation's democratic fabric, transcending political cycles and threatening public safety. President Hichilema has frequently stated that criminal acts committed by individuals claiming alignment with the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) will not be condoned, and that offenders must face the full wrath of the law independently. Yet, public sentiment suggests that political rhetoric must be matched by decisive action. When high-profile figures, regardless of their political affiliation or past conduct, are subjected to mob justice or physical assault in public spaces—let alone within the precincts of the judiciary—it undermines public confidence in the safety of citizens and the impartiality of the state. Legal experts and human rights advocates emphasize that the police and security wings must act pro