PRESIDENT HICHILEMA’S POLITICAL CONTRADICTIONS
President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent remarks about the Patriotic Front (PF) have sparked significant debate within the political arena.
Last Friday, the President openly questioned the PF’s credibility to return to power, referencing their history of excessive borrowing and alleged mismanagement of the economy.
As he delivered these criticisms, his supporters repeated the phrase “Ngwena ni Ngwena” (a crocodile is a crocodile), which he has used several times before, reinforcing his warning that changing party colours or political affiliations does not change a politician’s true character or past actions.
President Hichilema’s message was clear: voters should be cautious of PF members, regardless of their current party regalia—green or red—remain unchanged in character and bear responsibility for previous economic failures.
This sharp rebuke was intended as a cautionary note to the electorate, warning them not to be swayed by superficial changes among politicians seeking office under new banners..
However, the President’s position has been called into question due to his own party’s alliances with prominent PF factions, including those led by Robert Chabinga and Miles Sampa.
The United Party for National Development (UPND), under President Hichilema’s leadership, has adopted several former PF Members of Parliament, such as Chabinga, Chanda, Nakaponda, Mushanga, Mungandu, Daka, Lubusha, Chibombwe, Nyambose, Mumba, and the list goes on.
This move, aimed at shoring up parliamentary numbers and enhancing electoral prospects, has led to accusations of hypocrisy and inconsistency.
Many people are now questioning the credibility and sincerity of the President’s rhetoric. .
How can he condemn the PF as corrupt or “Ngwena” while simultaneously welcoming former members into his own party?
Tongas say, “He who claims to hate the lion should not wear its skin” or “He who curses the fire should not warm his hands by it” – which directly addresses the admiration or adoption of characteristics or symbols associated with something one claims to despise.
This dual approach undermines the moral high ground President Hichilema seeks to claim and raises concerns about the authenticity of his criticisms.
The contradiction is especially stark for those former PF members now within the UPND, who are still labeled as “Ngwena” despite their new affiliations.
This situation highlights President Hichilema’s struggle to strike a balance between principle and political pragmatism; it is too early for him to be politically incoherent – alema fast mudala uyu!
His reliance on PF defectors for political stability and electoral advantage highlights the tensions and complexities inherent in his coalition-building strategy.