Government Wants to Use Civil Servants to “Rig August Polls,” Claims Mundubile

 

Brian Mundubile has denied claims that he is intimidating civil servants, saying he is only warning them against carrying out what he described as government instructions aimed at “stealing” his votes.

Meanwhile, Makebi Zulu has said Mundubile was called by God and the people to serve citizens.

In addition, newly elected PEP president Chanda Katotobwe and the former PEP president endorsed Mundubile and Makebi during their campaign activities.

Speaking during a rally in Mwansabombwe, Luapula Province, on Wednesday, Mundubile urged civil servants not to carry out what he called “wrong instructions” from government.

“Some people heard me when I was telling civil servants that, ‘Civil servants, I am begging you, do not make your children suffer. This government likes breaking the law, and when they tell you to break the law, do not accept.’ They said I was scaring civil servants,” Mundubile said.

He said civil servants were good people who had worked with him when he was in government, adding that many of them were still serving the country.

“But when the head is confused, even those below are affected. Today, I am repeating this: as we go towards the elections, government will be giving civil servants wrong instructions to rig and steal votes. Do not even try. I am begging you,” he said.

Mundubile insisted that his message was not meant to discourage civil servants from performing their duties, but to caution them against engaging in illegal activities.

“So when I was talking to you civil servants, I was not scaring you from doing your job. But if you do wrong things and we fish you out, these people who are going out will not be there. I am begging you, do not make your children suffer. Do not do anything wrong,” he said.

Earlier, during a rally in Kawambwa, Mundubile said he wanted every Zambian to feel respected and protected under the law.

He alleged that more than 10 people had died in incidents of political violence, citing cases in Kaputa, Magoye and other areas.

“In Kaputa, someone died after people fought among themselves, and yet our members were arrested and we were banned from campaigning there,” Mundubile said.

He further alleged that in another incident, a man who had taken a radio for repair was attacked after a campaign song was played.

“The other day, a man took a radio for repair. After it was repaired, he asked the repairer to test it. When they played the song ‘Mundubile na Makebi Bengile,’ UPND cadres allegedly came and beat the man, and he died,” he claimed.

Mundubile also alleged that in Magoye, the driver of an independent candidate was killed by UPND supporters.

He questioned why campaigns had not been banned in other areas where violence had allegedly occurred.

“In Magoye and Chawama, campaigns have not been banned. What we want is fairness in the country. We want a country that observes the rule of law, a country that respects people and the law, not one where laws are applied selectively,” he said.

He accused the ruling party of allowing its supporters to insult with impunity while accusing opposition youths of hate speech when they speak out.

“That must come to an end. Abash tribalism! We want every Zambian to feel respected because this is their country. We do not want a country where there are laws for the opposition and different laws for the ruling party,” said Mundubile.

Speaking at the Mwansabombwe rally, Makebi Zulu urged the people of Luapula not to vote for the UPND, claiming that former education minister Douglas Syakalima had insulted them.

“I will not say much because I want my big brother Mundubile to speak. I heard a story that the former Minister of Education, Douglas Syakalima, said people from Luapula do not think properly. Is that true? And then they come to ask for votes from you after insulting you?” Zulu said.

Zulu said Mundubile had answered both God’s call and the people’s call to serve.

“We trust you. That is why Michael Sata gave you a district so that you could have development here. There are many things I want to explain, but Mundubile will explain them. Mundubile heeded God’s call and your call to come and serve you. He then called us and brought us together to come here to Luapula to speak to you and tell you what we will do for you, not this one, Hakainde Hichilema, the liar,” said Zulu.