HH should respect his opponents – Linda Banks

By BARNABAS ZULU

JOURNALIST Linda Banks has criticized President Hakainde Hichilema over the demeaning remarks in which he characterised Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu as boys who looted the treasury while in government, saying national leaders should demonstrate respect towards their political rivals.

Ms Banks said it was inappropriate for President Hichilema to refer to Mr Mundubile, the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance presidential candidate and his running mate Makebi Zulu as “the two boys” and suggest that they needed to enroll for the free education programme because, according to the head of State, the two leaders were ignorant.

“If the President can exhibit such disrespect to his opponents by referring to them as ‘those two boys are ignorant and dull, they need to join the free education program,’ what more his cadres?” Ms Banks said.

She said political leaders should set an example of civility and mutual respect, adding that their conduct often influences the behaviour of their supporters.

Ms Banks, however has called on opposition leaders and their supporters to maintain respectful language when responding to the President and members of the ruling party.

“Now what I want to see is respect from the opposition leaders like exhibited here. It would also be nice to see the opposition supporters extend the same courtesy to HH and his team,” she said.

She urged political players to rise above insults and personal attacks, stressing that constructive engagement was essential for the country’s development.

“When they go low, you go higher. As standards, we want to see a healthy political discourse that will eventually bring development, unity and prosperity to the motherland,” Ms Banks said.

Her comments come amid heightened political campaigns ahead of the August 13 general election, with political rhetoric increasingly coming under public scrutiny as stakeholders call for issue-based campaigning and respectful engagement among competing candidates.