“No Hatred, Just Justice”

Simuuwe dismisses accusations, saing UPND’s mission is law and order, not revenge.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka – May 16, 2025 - United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Director Mark Simuuwe has delivered a scathing response to former Patriotic Front (PF) official Mumbi Phiri, dismissing her claims that he and President Hakainde Hichilema harbor hatred toward former President Edgar Lungu as a desperate attempt to shield the former ruling elite from the law.

Speaking in response to remarks made by Phiri on Hot Seat, a programme aired on Hot FM, Simuuwe said it was shameful and irresponsible for someone of Phiri’s seniority to peddle such inflammatory narratives.

He accused her of deliberately misrepresenting the government’s anti-corruption efforts in order to paint Lungu as a victim and distract the public from the real issues of accountability.

“Let’s be clear—this government is not driven by hatred. It is driven by the need to clean up a mess left by a regime that normalized corruption, impunity, and abuse of power,” Simuuwe charged.

“If there was even a shred of personal hatred against Mr. Lungu, he would have been arrested on day one. That never happened, because unlike the PF, we follow the law.”

Simuuwe described Phiri’s remarks as a reckless abuse of public platforms and a calculated attempt to incite division at a time when the country needs healing, unity, and leadership grounded in truth.

“As a mother and former government official, Ms. Phiri should be the last person promoting tribal and political hostility on national radio,” he said.

“Her comments are not only misleading, but also dangerous. We caution her and others in the opposition against weaponizing emotion to shield political associates from facing justice.”

He said it was ironic that those who once presided over state-sponsored intimidation and unlawful arrests were now crying “persecution” the moment the law began to catch up with them.

“Let no one think they are above the law. The days of sacred cows are over. What we are doing now is simply allowing justice to take its course—without interference, without bias, and certainly without vengeance,” Simuuwe said.

He further condemned the PF’s continued use of divisive language, tribal scapegoating, and false persecution narratives to manipulate public sentiment and obstruct governance.

“Throwing around words like ‘hatred’, ‘tribe’, or ‘political victimization’ is not a defense. It’s a distraction—a smokescreen designed to confuse citizens and evade scrutiny,” Simuuwe said. “We will not allow criminals to rebrand themselves as martyrs.”

Turning to the Tonse Alliance, Simuuwe said the ruling coalition remains committed to its reform agenda despite internal and external sabotage attempts.

He urged members of the public to remain focused on facts, not political fiction.

“This administration has delivered in areas where the PF failed for a decade—free education, increased CDF, job creation, and debt restructuring,” he said.

“Over 90 percent of our promises are either completed or underway. That is the record the PF can’t handle.”

Simuuwe ended with a direct message to Mumbi Phiri and her allies: “The era of political drama is over. Zambians want answers, not accusations. Justice will prevail, not because of hatred, but because the people deserve accountability—and that is non-negotiable.”