THE growing tendency by UPND supporters to try and suppress the views of those who are perceived to not be part of their party is a source of concern New Heritage Party, Party Vice President Samuel Kasankha has said.
Mr. Kasankha said it is now a trend by the UPND to refer to the number that voted for former president Edgar Lungu as the 1.8 million, while the ruling party supporters are calling themselves the 2.8 million.
He explained that the majority 14million Zambians voted neither with the 2.8 nor the 1.8 and remain unaccounted for or non partisan in this equation.
He notes that no single group of Zambians, even by virtue of having won an election has the right to suppress the freedoms of others, including those they know had identified with the PF regime.
Mr. Kasankha appealed to president Hakainde Hichilema, to remind UPND supporters that the New Dawn government is a government for all Zambians and everybody’s views should and must be taken into account.
He noted that the force with which contrary views are confronted especially on social media but aware even in other interactions, is repressive just as they contradict everybody’s right to freedom of association as well as freedom of expression.
Mr. Kasankha lamented that rights are secured for all people by provisions in the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia. A case in point, though many others abound, is the cyber bullying of performing artist Slap D by the so called 2.8m.
He pointed out that the government that was ushered into office by virtue of that 2.8million of voters is now a government for ALL Zambians including the 1.8million who voted for Lungu and the few other thousands who sided with other candidates.
Mr. Kasankha noted that should the UPND supporters continue along this trajectory, people shall have no choice than to conclude that people merely changed color from green to red in this regard and that one is no better than the other.
He added that the sooner it is established that the new government will uphold the rights of all people, and discourage its supporters from suppressing others, the better for the unity and peace of our nation.
