By: Staff Reporter
Zambia’s ruling party, the Patriotic Front -PF- is scheming to win next month’s elections using tribal voting.
A senior PF party official who sought anonymity told AfricaWorld Reports Sunday that demonizing the Tonga speaking people is a well funded political project by the government and some chiefs in the country’s Northern region.
“Yes, the party has injected alot of money in this anti-Tonga campaign project but some leaders are against it. Even our chiefs in the north know it, but people like me married to a Tonga woman are feeling uncomfortable. Imagine my wife saying being Tonga is now a crime!”
Less than 4 weeks ahead of the country’s general elections slated for August 12, the ruling party has doubled its efforts in dehumanizing the Tonga tribe, an ethic group for the main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema.
According to the source, the PF is scheming to incite majority Bemba speaking regions to vote for their tribesmen adding that this was a well-protracted political strategy which started during the voters registration exercise.
“This election is about maintaining your tribe in power. It all started with the voter registration exercise which was manipulated in our favor but there has been doubt on whether our strongholds are intact given the economic hardships. The part is hoping to have Bembas to retain it to power in fear of having Tongas taking over,” the source added.
Zambian politics have shrunk into tribalism with the government using state owned media to spew hate speech against politicians from minority tribes.
The 18 million southern African country stands on cross roads with regional political analysts predicting violence after the elections.
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