In an impassioned plea for justice and legal integrity, Dr. Fred M’membe, the President of the Socialist Party, has vocally criticized the apparent lack of action against Mr. Cornelius Mweetwa, a prominent figure within the United Party for National Development (UPND). The case, rooted in allegations of tribalism and bribery, has stirred significant public interest and debate over the impartiality and effectiveness of the country’s legal system.
“Over a month has passed, and yet there’s silence on a matter that strikes at the very heart of our societal fabric—unity,” Dr. M’membe stated in a recent public address. “If we allow individuals, regardless of their political affiliations, to sow seeds of division without consequence, what message are we sending about the values we stand for as a nation?”
Mr. Mweetwa, serving as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, is accused of promoting ethnic divisions and attempting to suppress the spread of this information through alleged acts of bribery. According to Dr. M’membe, on February 13th, 2024, Mr. Mweetwa offered a bribe to Mr. Innocent Phiri, a journalist, in an attempt to kill the story of his previous confession relating to ethnic division strategies.
Dr. M’membe elaborates on his decision to report Mr. Mweetwa to the police, emphasizing the importance of accountability: “In my report to the Lusaka Central Police, I acted not only as a political leader but as a citizen deeply concerned about the integrity of our nation. It’s imperative that our justice system responds without bias, ensuring that no individual is above the law.”
The Socialist Party President also criticized the selective responsiveness of the police, especially when dealing with allegations against political figures.
“The swiftness with which ordinary citizens or political dissenters are apprehended contrasts sharply with the hesitancy observed in cases involving UPND officials. This disparity not only undermines public trust in our law enforcement but also in the democratic principles we are all supposed to uphold,” Dr. M’membe remarked.
Dr. M’membe’s call for Mr. Mweetwa’s arrest and prosecution is not merely about addressing an individual’s alleged misdeeds but is seen as part of a larger struggle for democratic values and justice.
“This isn’t just about one man’s actions; it’s about the precedent we set for our future. Will we be a country that turns a blind eye to wrongdoings for the sake of political convenience, or will we stand firm in our commitment to justice and equality before the law?” Dr. M’membe questioned, urging a reflective response from both the public and the authorities.
The tribalists are accusing people of tribalism. They are also angry that their tribes men are not getting 70% of the jobs. Seriously, one of them, a Catholic Priest no less, wrote to the US, begging for the country to impose sanctions on Zambia, alleging some nonsensical reasons, though we know that the real reason a person called Mpundu would do such a dastardly thing is because of tribalism. As for corruption, the accused is named Mweetwa. It is a Tonga name. Therefore the likelihood of corruption is low to zero. But there is corruption in Zambia, the homosexual “Mbeembe”, who is levelling these charges, should look in the mirror to see what a corrupt person looks like.
In a democratic system, the presidency bears a significant mandate to lead the nation, uphold democratic values, and represent the interests of the people. The victory speech delivered by a newly elected president plays a crucial role in setting the tone for their administration and outlining their vision for the future. This discussion delves into the pivotal role of the victory speech in shaping the presidency and asserts that if a president falls short of fulfilling the promises articulated in their acceptance speech, it is essential to engage in vigorous campaigns and debates to hold them accountable.
If only the pot wasnt calling the kettle black I would have supported Mmembe’s calls to the hilt. When I remember his tribalistic editorialising in the Post, I identify what gave birth to Zambia’s current tribalism. Mweetwa, together with his boss HH, are just two of the numerous naive citizens that were thrown into tribal conflicts by The Post. Zambia as made by UNIP was a nation that every foreigner-especially fellow Africans- admired for peaceful c0-existence. Now Tribe is raising its ugly head and those responsible are the Mmembes and Mweetwas
Accountability and the Role of Vigorous Campaigns and Debates
In a democratic system, accountability is essential to ensure that elected officials fulfill their promises, uphold democratic principles, and serve the interests of the people. If a president fails to live up to the commitments made in their victory speech, it is imperative that there are mechanisms in place to hold them accountable and challenge their leadership
The hate speech law was specifically enacted to protect Tongas. If a Bemba or easterner says anything about Tongas, this law becomes active. Tongas can say anything they like to other tribes and nothing will happen. They will be back on the street uttering more tribal remarks. I am urging Zambian to keep those videos of hate speech and release them in 2026 and after.
Show us when and how a tonga was uttering hate speech……..
@kci..and such manoeuvres don’t end well. Instead of presenting unity, they are sowing discord. SP or the Zambezi River did not transition government. Luapula, Chambeshi and Luangwa Rivers in conjunction with Bangweulu and Tanganyika Lakes made it happen in the Northern part. Neglecting this fact is like courting danger. SP has always been voting for UPND.
Spaka you always utter hate-speech together with your Kaizar Zulu hater. Thats two of you with a tribal agenda
Any leader who divides people by religion, tribe, race, regions, gender or any reason whatsoever etc is driven by evil. NEVER associate with such evil hearted people. See what happened in Rwanda Genocide many moons ago. It takes few light, good hearted people to build a loving society / nation & it takes 1 or more stupid fools to destroy everything.. think about it… Any nation that has evil vengeful leaders see the economy of such a nation, see how common people laments….. sounds familiar???? Sons of men under the sun are so short-sighted & there is always a deception that they will be in power forever…shame.
Batuke Imenda secretary general of the upnd was taken to court for hate speech. Yesterday when the case was about to take off the so-called DPP instructed the case to stop saying it was unconstitutional, So we have two sets of constitutions… one that protects Tonga and allied tribes and the other for others. I am not being tribal but just stating a fact… one social club on the copperbelt can prove me right on what I am saying.
Sure? That sounds so senseless! “Yesterday when the case was about to take off the so-called DPP instructed the case to stop saying it was unconstitutional”
I can understand it when a law is being blocked in parliament for one to claim its unconctitutional but the DPP stopping a prosecution because its unconstitutional??
The DPP is a UPND Cadre so don’t expect any UPND member to be prosecuted
The Jackson Chamas and Munir Zulus of this country are the only ones that can be said to commit hate crimes in Hichilema”s Zambia. The Mweetwas, Syakalimas and Imendas of the same Zambia cannot be said to commit hate crimes.
Unfortunately for them, the longer they stay in government the more empty their heads become. We must brace ourselves to cope with an executive, legislature, Police, judiciary and elections institution presided over by empty heads. It’ll be nasty. We’re moving from bad to worse and possibly worst. Those that seem to make sense are being dismissed on flimsy ground. Nothing is making sense
But UKA should stop sending people on TV who cannot articulate themselves properly. When the UKA S G was on TV recently, he was being asked to talk about PF and he fell for it. When the current Chairperson for UKA was asked about PF the other time when he was TV he correctly answered that I cannot answer for PF because UKA is not PF
“…..This isn’t just about one man’s actions; it’s about the precedent we set for our future. Will we be a country that turns a blind eye to wrongdoings for the sake of political convenience, …….”
Says the man who championed PF and Sata into power amidest blatant tribal attacks and corruption………..
You have no shame cde Membe
When power goes to your head, you easily forget where you came from. You were nothing in Egypt before the hand of God rescued you.How dare you forget the genesis of your authority. The worst thing is to mistreat the ones who removed from shackles of bondage.Puppets should not make you become oblivious of your past.You need to make an introspection on how you were mistreated in the hands of people who did not mean well for this nation.Life without reflection is like a person who cannot recognize himself in a mirror he is holding himself. When given authority, know how to treat people. Power is like dew. You see it in the morning. In the afternoon, it is not there.
Which justice must we seek from UPND.?
Kakubo’s botched mine sale transaction was purely private, the same way the calendar gift was. No wonder the Asian complainant went back to apologise to exonerate the minister. Mweetwa’s public self-confession on hate speech was just a child talk and is not a party matter, except for CK. The presidential mantra, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN, has exceptions as opposed to apparent legal immunity in most government officials. This system just alienates us. All public officials have no private life and must account to citizens as it happens and not wait till they lose political power
All you dumba$$ Africans go on about is tribe this and tribe that.
Is it any wonder that most of us as foreigners see you all dimwits and perpetual bush dwellers.