We would like to doff off our hats and applaud Sesheke Member of Parliament, Romeo Kangombe for his candidness and forthrightness. He has shared something that exactly resonates with what we had tackled a couple of days ago regarding what’s obtaining ‘pa ground.’

He wrote the following on his Facebook page, “We need to help the President if we love him. Those that speak the truth in any case are the true Lieutenants. We will speak until you sit up and do the rightful thing. Leave those offices and jump on busses, you will go back home stressed.”

We’d like to appeal to our cabinet ministers and indeed MPs from the ruling party to heed Kangombe’s timely advice. Hop on a bus to Kalingalinga and check on the creative welders plying their trade there…..take a ride to Matero to grab your favourite steak….get on a bus to Kabangwe during peak hours….visit the hair dressers in Chibolya…..engage the marketeers at Soweto market….interact with the street vendors trying to sale cheap Chinese wares….We know it’s the job of a politician to talk. However, we’d advise to remain mute and eavesdrop on the conversations of those you encounter and take an inventory.

Once you get back to your offices, do not sugarcoat anything…..compile reports which will help the President prepare a distinct THINGS TO DO LIST

Time is of the essence; do not wait for the last minute imwe ma bwana!

Prince Bill M Kaping’a
Political/Social Analyst
Mayeng’u, Zambezi

Three of the eight suspects who recently escaped from Butondo Police Station in Mufulira have been recaptured, with one found in possession of an AK-47 rifle and a full Congolese army combat uniform.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Peacewell Mweemba said the suspects were apprehended in separate operations following a manhunt launched by the police.

“We have managed to rearrest three escapees, one of them being Kelvin Musonda, who was initially charged with assault and has now appeared in court for both the assault and escape charges, Mr Meeemba said.

The other suspect, Andrew Silwimba, who was facing a murder charge, has also appeared in court on an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody while awaiting postmortem results,” he added.

Mr Mweemba disclosed that the third suspect, Evans Njovu, who was initially charged with maliciously administering poison with intent to harm, was arrested after reports emerged that he had been seen threatening people with a firearm in the Musandasha farming block.

He explained that Mr Njovu allegedly threatened to kill Brighton Mpande, a 45-year-old charcoal burner, when the victim confronted him over a stolen bicycle.

“Njovu produced an AK-47 rifle and fired two rounds, forcing Mr Mpande to flee and later report the matter to the police’’, he said.

Mr Mweemba stated that a follow-up operation led to the suspect’s arrest who then led officers to Kambushi farming area, where police recovered a full Congolese army combat uniform with boots and an AK-47 rifle (serial number CDFARK9367) with 24 rounds of

Mr Mweemba stated that Police have since opened a docket for illegal possession of a firearm, and the suspect remains in custody.

“The firearm, uniform, and boots have been secured as exhibits as investigations continue, “he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Mweemba said a manhunt is still underway for the five remaining escapees.

“We are urging members of the public to report any suspicious individuals and assist the police with information that may lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects,” he said.

The eight suspects escaped from Butondo Police Station last week under unclear circumstances, prompting an ongoing police search.

ZANIS

By Kapya Kaoma

The recent by-elections have revealed a critical weakness in the PF-Tonse Alliance: the branding of the political party on the ballot within the alliance. In Eastern Province, for instance, while the alliance celebrated a victory, there was confusion about which party won that election. This contrasts sharply with media reports that predominantly identified the UPND and other non-allied entities. This issue invites a broader discussion on the complexities of political branding and communication strategies that are central to competitive democracy.

Democracy depends on a strong communication stand branding strategy. A compelling manifesto and a strong candidate may lay the groundwork for political success, but without a robust communication and branding strategy, such efforts risk being ineffective. This is why political campaigns invest heavily in communication and branding long before the campaign season—they need to present themselves as viable alternatives to other candidates. In other words, the heart of competitive democracy beats in sync with clarity and cohesion in messaging. This is something the PF-Tonse Alliance must uphold immediately if it hopes to wrest power from the UPND in 2026.

To assume that voters’ disappointment with President HH’s lies and failed promises will automatically translate into the alliance’s victory is naive. Likewise, the belief that voters in every constituency will support all candidates from different political parties just because they are running on the alliance’s ticket is misguided. The candidate adoption process is bound to be messy, and those who are not adopted may be forced to run as independents or even on their own party tickets. Additionally, since not all voters have equal access to information, some of these candidates will play a role as spoilers–they may even be adopted by the UPND.This concern seems to underlie the UPND’s reluctance to allow the PF-Tonse Alliance to register as a political party, as it hopes to complicate voters’ decision-making process within the PF-Tonse Alliance.

The UPND’s apprehension regarding the PF’s resurgence—evident in their resistance to the legal registration of a new political entity led by PF leadership—should not deter the alliance from actively countering this strategy. Here, the importance of a name is secondary; the primary goal is securing victory in the 2026 elections. While voters are familiar with the PF, a comprehensive re-education initiative could help them align with the new political identity the alliance aims to project over time.

Continuing to contest the name “PF” only serves to benefit the UPND regime, which anticipates voter confusion as the electoral campaign progresses. By prolonging this identity struggle, the UPND intends to exploit the uncertainties surrounding the PF’s branding for electoral gain. To counter this tactic, the PF-Tonse Alliance must avoid giving the UPND any leverage and instead concentrate on redefining its identity and strategy to neutralize the UPND’s ability to manipulate voter decision-making processes.

Should the alliance wish to reinstate the PF name in the future, that decision can be revisited later. The current moment calls for unity and an emphasis on the masses—those whose dignity has often been overshadowed by UPND policies that exacerbate poverty. As the alliance prepares for the upcoming elections, its priority must be to consolidate its identity and streamline its messaging. The specific political party within the alliance may matter less than ensuring that the PF leadership remains in control.

For a successful campaign, the alliance should begin promoting a singular, cohesive name that voters can identify with, thus avoiding potential conflicts and confusion. Effectively utilizing print, television, and social media will be paramount, especially as the UPND is poised to exploit misinformation to foster discord in the critical lead-up to the elections using state media. The sooner the alliance adopts a unified identity, the better its position will be to counteract the UPND’s divide-and-rule strategy. It is naive to assume the alliance will hold together until Election Day; resolving the identity issue sooner rather than later will be advantageous. While the PF is the largest partner and boasts the most significant following, neglecting the identity issue until the end could expose the alliance to major divisions that would ultimately benefit the UPND.

Thus, the time has come for the PF-Tonse Alliance to focus on establishing a strong, collective identity. Jumping from one political party to another is a recipe for disaster in the general elections. Only through strategic communication and a unified front can the alliance hope to reclaim voter trust and secure a decisive victory in 2026. This is not merely a battle for a name; it is a call to reclaim the human dignity lost under the HH regime.