We are one, Iris tells UPND cadres in Mongu

The political atmosphere outside the Mongu High Court turned reflective this week as Mwandi independent Member of Parliament Iris Kaingu called for solidarity among ruling party cadres. Addressing a gathering of United Party for National Development (UPND) supporters who had turned up to follow court proceedings, Kaingu emphasized that political divisions should not destroy community bonds. Her remarks came in the wake of an intense legal battle stemming from the recent parliamentary elections, where her victory has been contested in court. The legal challenge has been brought forward by losing UPND candidate Sibeso Sefulo, who is seeking the nullification of Kaingu's election. Sefulo's petition alleges various electoral malpractices, including bribery, corruption, and undue influence exerted on voters by agents allegedly acting with Kaingu's knowledge. The courtroom drama has drawn significant public interest across Western Province, particularly given the high-stakes political rivalry between the ruling party structures and independent contenders who managed to secure seats against official party adoption. Despite the friction and sharp political exchanges that characterized the campaign trail, Kaingu struck a conciliatory tone. Speaking in both Lozi and English to the crowd outside the court precinct, she maintained that political contestation is temporary and that residents remain united by shared social and cultural ties. Her message appeared aimed at dousing local tensions that had previously flared up during and immediately after the August general elections, where local party machinery and independent aspirants clashed over loyalty and representation. Political analysts in Lusaka and provincial centers view the Mongu petition as part of a broader national trend of post-election legal disputes testing the resilience of local political alliances. The proceedings have also brought to light testimonies from various local actors regarding campaign conduct, fur