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The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has described the riotous behaviour by some youths in Chingola District on the Copperbelt Province during President Hakainde Hichilema’s visit to Chiwempala Market as criminal and unacceptable.
ZCTU President, Blake Mulala, said President Hichilema’s visit to Chiwempala Market was a humanitarian and compassionate act aimed at assessing the devastating impact of the fire that recently gutted the market and affected the livelihoods of many hardworking Zambian citizens.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, Mulala said it was appalling that a group of unruly criminals, allegedly masquerading as political players, chose to respond to the goodwill visit with acts of violence by throwing stones, damaging property, and even burning a police motor vehicle.
He expressed sadness over the act, noting that such incidents had become rare since the 2021 change of government.
Mulala stated that such barbaric conduct had no place in the country’s democracy and undermined the values of peace, unity, and civility that define Zambia as a nation.
“Every Zambian worker and citizen has a duty to uphold law and order. It does not matter how grave one’s grievances may be because violence is never a solution. We therefore demand that the security wings move swiftly to bring all perpetrators of this criminal act to book and ensure that justice is served without fear or favour,” he said.
He called on all well-meaning political leaders, regardless of affiliation, to condemn the attack unreservedly, adding that the youths who engaged in such lawlessness were not political actors but criminals who should never be entertained near any political process.
Mulala emphasized that true political leadership promoted peace, tolerance, and constructive engagement, not violence and destruction.
“We are gravely concerned that the ugly face of political hooliganism, which we thought had ended, appears to be resurfacing. This development threatens the peace and stability of our country and must be decisively dealt with before it spreads further,” Mulala said.
He urged the Zambia Police Service to take firm action and ensure that all illegal groupings, regardless of their names or political affiliations, were dismantled immediately.
Mulala said no individual or group should hide behind political power to commit acts of criminality, and the law should take its full course on all offenders.
“Zambia has long been admired as a peaceful and democratic nation where differences are resolved through dialogue, respect, and mutual understanding. We therefore call upon all citizens to reject violence and stand firm in defending our country’s reputation as a beacon of peace and democracy in the region,” he said.
Mulala assured that ZCTU remained committed to promoting peace, unity, and the protection of workers’ rights within a law-abiding society, stressing that violence and lawlessness have no place in the country’s democracy.
Meanwhile, the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) Spokesperson, Anthony Chibuye, said the incident in Chingola could not be blamed on anyone but was “squarely on the collective failure of the Hichilema administration to address key challenges facing Zambians.”
“People like Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga, Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali, and Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo are some of the hardworking UPND ministers who have tried to manage the highly charged Copperbelt Province,” Chibuye said.
He stated that the events were “a clear exposé of the general feeling of the Zambian people countrywide” and a message that President Hichilema had “lost popularity on the ground” as citizens were unhappy with his leadership.
Chibuye added that the reported low turnout at the Kitwe derby despite the president having bought 30,000 free tickets for the 35,000-seater Levy Mwanawasa Stadium was another sign of public discontent.
“And the presidential security team should be commended for advising the president to leave the stadium earlier, as it could have degenerated into a similar event as in Chingola. As FDD, our utmost appeal goes to President Hichilema to consider resigning as his popularity has faded,” he said.
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