CYBER LAWS, FAKE DEFECTIONS & FACEBOOK WARRIORS—UPND’S FEAR OF PF REUNION LAID BARE

CYBER LAWS, FAKE DEFECTIONS & FACEBOOK WARRIORS—UPND’S FEAR OF PF REUNION LAID BARE

The FOX Newspaper | Observation

The United Party for National Development (UPND) is not governing with confidence—they are managing panic. The recent regrouping of the Patriotic Front (PF) has exposed a ruling party in crisis. What should be a moment of political maturity—welcoming a vibrant opposition—is instead treated like a national emergency. Why? Because UPND is haunted by the ghost of its own insecurities.

A Regime Running Scared

As the PF begins to reorganize and consolidate its base, particularly in the north, east, and Copperbelt, UPND’s first response isn’t democratic engagement—it’s cyber censorship, coordinated propaganda, and information control. The Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act—passed under PF but now zealously used by UPND—is their shield against a digital uprising.

Zambians are witnessing this: Facebook is flooded with UPND-aligned pages like “Koswe Mumpoto” spinning every PF move as chaos. Note how many spokespersons speak for the “mighty party”…Yet ordinary citizens see through it. They see UPND cadres in the comments, foaming at the mouth at every PF meeting or reunion post. That’s not confidence. That’s fear—raw and digital.

Defections or Distractions?

The so-called “defections” paraded on state media are textbook political theatrics. UPND is trying to sell the image of a collapsing PF, but in reality, PF structures remain intact—thanks to smart constitutional amendments from 2016 that prevent party hijacking. Even more telling, most genuine political engagement right now is taking place within the PF camp—not UPND. That’s why UPND is in panic mode.

Cyber Law as a Gag Tool

The UPND government is now leveraging cyber laws not to protect the public—but to control the narrative. Broad surveillance powers, criminalization of “false information,” and targeting of political influencers are clear indicators of a digital regime cracking down on opposition momentum (Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, APC.org, ILP.org).

How else do you explain a government using state power to suppress social media conversations while claiming democratic progress?

Still in Opposition Mode

Instead of focusing on governance, economic performance (Zambians have not forgotten the 14hrs pronouncements), and public service delivery, UPND is glued to Facebook fights. The leadership acts as if it’s still campaigning, attacking PF reunion efforts with the same fear-driven rhetoric they once condemned.

Meanwhile, PF is no longer playing defense. It is organizing, rebranding, and reconnecting with the grassroots. That’s UPND’s real fear: a stronger, smarter PF that has learned from its past mistakes.

FINAL WORD

UPND’s cyber clampdowns, online propaganda, and obsession with PF’s reunion are not signs of a strong government. They are the reactions of a regime that knows it is losing ground—both online and on the streets. Zambians deserve a leadership that governs with courage, not one that fears its rivals and fights phantoms.

Let them scroll. Let them spin. But facts always echo louder than fear.