The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has condemned the reported attack on former Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary-General Davies Mwila at the Supreme Court, while challenging an opposition youth leader who linked the assault to UPND cadres to hand his evidence to…

The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has condemned the reported attack on former Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary-General Davies Mwila at the Supreme Court, while challenging an opposition youth leader who linked the assault to UPND cadres to hand his evidence to the police.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, the UPND Media Team described the incident as unfortunate and unacceptable in a democratic society governed by the rule of law. The party urged law enforcement agencies to investigate professionally, impartially and without political interference, and to bring anyone found to have committed an offence to justice.

The ruling party’s sharpest words were reserved for PF-Pamodzi Alliance National Youth IPS Given Gift Chibale, who had publicly blamed suspected UPND cadres for the attack. The UPND said it would report the matter to the police under the cybercrime laws.

The media team said Mr Chibale needed to separate evidence from political speculation.

“An allegation does not become a fact simply because it is repeated publicly or attached to the name of a political party,” the statement read.

The party said that if the youth leader held credible evidence identifying the perpetrators, he should submit it to investigators and allow the law to take its course, rather than assign political responsibility before the facts had been established.

The warning extended beyond the opposition youth wing. The UPND cautioned members of the public against dragging political institutions into disrepute through unsubstantiated allegations, noting that political parties operate within Zambia’s constitutional and legal framework and have legitimate interests that false or damaging claims can harm. Where the law provides grounds for redress, the party said, legal remedies remain available.

Despite its dispute with Mr Chibale, the ruling party was firm that the assault on the former PF official could not be excused.

“No political disagreement, personal grievance or ideological difference can justify physical attacks, intimidation or the humiliation of another person,” the media team said.

The party described the attack as regrettable and condemned violence against Mr Mwila or any other citizen. It called for those responsible to be identified and brought to book, and urged the public to avoid circulating unverified claims, inflammatory commentary or material that could prejudice investigations.

The statement then turned on the opposition itself. The UPND said the incident raised serious concerns about the opposition’s political discipline and its continued association with allegations of violence and intolerance, even after its electoral defeats in 2021 and 2026.

The ruling party said Zambians had been right to renew their mandate to President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND, whose leadership, it said, had emphasised peace and respect for the rule of law.

It also pointed to what it called the opposition’s apparent internal challenges, saying these were weakening its capacity to provide the credible checks and balances a democracy requires.

“Zambia deserves an opposition that embraces reform, respects its leaders and senior citizens, and resolves political differences through dialogue rather than violence,” the statement said.

The police have not yet named any suspects in the attack on Mr Mwila, and the UPND’s complaint against Mr Chibale under the cybercrime laws is expected to be lodged with law enforcement.