By: Ollus Ndomu
Opposition Patriotic Front -PF- Vice President, Given Lubinda’s car was smashed in an ambush which occurred shortly after appearing on PASME radio in Petauke district of Eastern province.
Lubinda who along with PF Kaumbwe parliamentary candidate, Dr. Aaron Mwanza and Lusangazi Council Chairperson candidate Patrick Banda, appeared on radio to gnare support ahead of October 21 By-elections received their fair share of beatings from a group alleged to be PF cadres who are opposed to Lubinda’s appointment as party Vice President.
As per their tradition, PF big wigs have accused the ruling United Party for National Development -UPND- of having mobilized thugs to attack the opposition leader whose special message to Zambians has been paddling unsubstantiated gay rights rumors and casting the Republican President Hakainde Hichilema in bad light.
Meanwhile, the country’s church mother bodies have hailed the new government for its tolerance to political criticism including the revival of media freedom which had disappeared under Edgar Lungu’s 7-year repressive rule.
For the first time in a decade, Zambia is conducting By-elections without police shootings, preaching of tribalism and dishing out of cash and free beer.
