By 
New heritage Party president, Chishala Kateka, has warned that the bad precedent set by ruling political parties when in power has trapped Zambia in a cycle of retribution, pushing the country towards becoming a failed state.
In a statement issued in Lusaka titled “The Effects Of The Bad Precedence Set By Our Ruling Political Parties When In Power,” Kateka noted that Zambia has had four political parties and seven presidents since independence.
She said each time leadership had changed for reasons other than death, it became payback time, with each new party learning from the bad example of its predecessor.
Kateka said the effect of this cycle was a downward spiral marked by weaponised state machinery, compromised individuals in state institutions and division along party and tribal lines.
“We have had four political parties and seven Presidents in power since we attained political independence. Each time we have changed leadership for reasons other than death, it is payback time – it becomes a period for retribution and revenge,” she stated.
Kateka said the elite, who were few in number, benefited through deals from the national cake at the expense of citizens, while ruling parties bent rules and laws, especially during elections, to perpetuate their stay in power.
“State machinery is weaponised, individuals in state institutions are heavily compromised, there is division along party and tribal lines, the elite, who are few in number, are the ones to benefit through deals from the national cake at the expense of citizens,” she said.
According to Kateka, this has led to high levels of poverty and dependence, which in turn has created a poverty-mindset among Zambians focused on scarcity and survival.
“This focus on immediate survival and instant gratification limits long-term planning and growth. Having the majority of Zambians in this state is very dangerous and leads to stunting in terms of national development,” she said.
She said decisions made from this mindset tend to be retrogressive and self-harming, citing examples at election time when people sell their votes to those who will pay, even when they know that person will not improve their lot.
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“Unfortunately, even a number of our leaders have this poverty-mindset and tend to make decisions that lead to instant gratification,” Kateka stated.
She said the current leadership of the UPND had missed a golden opportunity to provide the leadership Zambia desperately needed.
Kateka accused the UPND of falling to the allure of absolute power, vengeance and sectarianism, and failing to resist the temptation of perpetuating their stay in office by changing laws and putting lackeys in charge of state institutions.
“This is why it would be extreme folly, to give the UPND and its president another term in office. The structural damage to our state institutions, the increased use of the military, the arbitrary abductions and arrests, the holding of those incarcerated without the due process of the law and the selective justice being applied, are all a clear indication of the shape of things to come,” she said.
Kateka likened agreeing to extend President Hakainde Hichilema’s tenure to seeing a lion approaching and continuing to walk towards it, thinking it will not devour you.
She said Zambia was in great need of a reset and a president who would put Zambians above self-interests.
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