We will devise a new winning strategy – HH

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has admitted that the party’s strategies for winning elections are not working.

Several UPND supporters have taken to social media to criticise the opposition party’s methods in the wake of the morale-sapping loss to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) in the March 27 Kafue Council by-elections.

In a brief message on his Facebook page, Hichilema appeared to agree with his supporters’ concerns, promising to devise a new elections strategy “befitting the current political environment”.

He also thanked the people of Kafue for their support.

“Thank you all for your support in Kafue. Going forward, we are devising a new elections strategy befitting the current political environment,” Hichilema wrote.

The UPND leader’s remarks, however, stand in contrast with those of his Secretary General Stephen Katuka who once again blamed the party’s loss of the seat it previously held on electoral malpractice on the part of the PF.

“Once again, the people of Kafue have been denied their right to choose a candidate of their choice because of PF’s violence, bribery, abuse of state resources and manipulation of the the system,” Katuka said in a statement.

“It was clear when the Police started arresting UPND officials as a strategy to weaken our capacity to manage the elections that the elections were not going to be free, fair and credible.

“The arrest of our Lusaka Province Chairman Mr Obvious Mwaliteta to provoke the people to riot was a serious calculation by the PF to cause confusion and create an opportunity for rigging.

“The delays to announce results and the ferrying of PF cadres from Lusaka intercity bus terminus to cause violence was part of the scheme to manipulate the election. Such things only happen in a failed state.”

Katuka continued: “Police accepted to be cowed down by PF due to fear of impending illegal dismissals if they acted professionally.

“Vote buying and abuse of GRZ resources is another serious setback which we must seriously address moving forward into the general elections. Bribery in the Kafue bye-election was made public when the former Kafue Council Chairman Thomas Zulu told the people to rally behind President Edgar Lungu who had a sack of money for the people. The President acknowledged by dancing vigorously.

“I am sure the entire UPND family understands the weaknesses of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

“The truth remains, no serious hungry Zambians can freely vote for the PF, given the damage and hunger Edgar Lungu has caused.

“We cannot blame this outcome on electorates who have done their part.

“We blame the system; we blame the PF for instilling fear in the police ,thus making it difficult for them to stop dangerous panga wielding cadres from traveling from Lusaka to Kafue.”

The PF’s Simakoloyi Moono scooped the Kafue District Council Chairperson seat in a closely-fought contest, polling 9,252 votes against 8,650 votes scored by UPND candidate Beatrice Kayuni.

Out of 62,685 registered voters, 18,095 cast their votes and 193 were rejected votes.

The Kafue District Council Chairperson position fell became vacant following the resignation of the incumbent Thomas Zulu.