PLOT TO MAKE SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER BENEFICIARIES TO VOTE FOR HICHILEMA
Nine Civil Society Organisations have raised serious concerns over alleged SMS messages linking the Government’s Social Cash Transfer programme to voting for President Hakainde Hichilema and the ruling United Party for National Development, ahead of the August 13, 2026 elections.
The organisations noted that these messages, reportedly sent to vulnerable Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries, suggested that continued benefits were contingent upon support for the President and his party.
They urged recipients to preserve evidence and submit it for investigation, warning that if confirmed, such conduct would represent a serious abuse of government position. They emphasized that the Social Cash Transfer is a statutory entitlement for vulnerable households and should not be weaponized for political gain.
The Civil Society Organisations highlighted constitutional principles that mandate impartiality in public resources and called for investigations by relevant authorities.
They denounced any use of state welfare programmes for electoral purposes.
PLOT TO MAKE SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER BENEFICIARIES TO VOTE FOR HICHILEMA
