Conviction of murder accused, Chilekwa, a lesson for youths to denounce violence —MDC

The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) Alliance partner has reminded youths in active politics to stop being used as tools of political violence because the consequences are far reaching when the long arm of the law catches up with the culprits.

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) National Youth Chairperson, Brian Banda referred to the ruling by the Mongu High Court which convicted former President Edgar Lungu’s barber, Shebby Chilekwa for the murder of UPND supporter Lawrence Banda on October 6, 2019 in Kaoma district of Western Province.

Banda said this judgement is a clear indication that perpetuators of political violence or brutality in Zambia will at one time or the other, stand trial and be answerable to their own deeds in the face of justice which is blind to affiliation or standing in society.

He said the political violence the country was subjected to for 7 years prior to the 2021 general elections was detrimental and must never be entertained by any well-meaning Zambian ever again.

“Many of the youths were used as champions of violence in the name of loyalty and in exchange for a few coins. The hacking of one another, displacement of families and enmity based on political and partisan lines championed by the youths must never be allowed space in our country,” Banda said.

He has stated that this means that youths as future leaders must take a leaf from the Shebby Chilekwa judgement and denounce any form of violence or attempts to be used as tools of this vice.

Banda said while Zambia has remained very peaceful since independence, Zambians cannot run away from the fact that they still have politicians and youths championing thuggery and violent behavior in Zambia’s political space.

“We as youths must be champions of progressive politics. The kind of caderism that we envisage is that not of being physical, vulgar or intolerant to another’s opinion but that of being intellectual,” he said.

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