By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
Opposition UPND Alliance says the decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to lift the suspension from campaigns Chishimba Kambwili is a sign of betrayal on the legacy of the late Dr Kenneth Kaunda.
Mr Kambwili was on June, 30, 2021 suspended from campaigns on grounds of hate speech by the ECZ, but yesterday the commission lifted his suspension saying Mr Kambwili showed remorse.
UPND Alliance Media Director Thabo Kawana said this decision is a direct stab on the legacy of Dr Kaunda and a betrayal to the people of Zambia.
He said because Mr Kambwili is on record having completely refused to apologize for his hate speech and tribal sentiments.
“This decision by the ECZ to lift Kambwili’s suspension even after being reported by the UPND Alliance justifies people’s suspicion that the electoral body is a Public Relations wing of the Patriotic Front, ECZ’s decision is a sign of betrayal because barely we put Dr Kaunda to rest, who is a man who stood against tribalism and hate speech in the country, yet Kambwili has been going round spewing hate speech and that is why we reported him and that is why the ECZ found it fit to suspend him” he said.
He wondered how the ECZ could lift Mr Kambwili’s suspension from campaigns for practicing tribalism and hate speech despite him refusing to apologize.
“But lifting that suspension is a stab in the back of the legacy of Dr Kaunda. It is also a betrayal to the people of Zambia because Kambwili is on record having gone to ECZ and only apologized for having congregated people in rallies but completely refused to apologize for his hate speech” Mr Kawana added.
Mr Kawana said the UPND Alliance will not be bothered by the decision from the ECZ to lift the suspension on Mr Kambwili.
“I am the complainant and I expect the police to call Kambwili to interrogate him and when they find him wanting, which I know they will, they need to arrest and prosecute him through the courts of law” he said.
