Ex-defence minister, Mpombo, expresses concern over rising political tension caused by clamp down on the opposition

The recent attack on ex-President Edgar Lungu has a potential to fuel political tension in Zambia if the trend continues.

This is according to George Mpombo, ex-defence minister in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Tuesday.

Mpombo regretted that the alleged acts by the United Party for National Development (UPND) was a direct attack on the country’s traditional leaders and also undermined Zambia’s democracy.

He wondered why the UPND regime was so scared of Lungu to the extent of wanting to block him from attending a traditional ceremony where he was invited.

He said that the move undermined Senior Chief Nsefu of the Kunda people who had invited the ex-president to grace the event.

Mpombo said the UPND was making Lungu more famous by trying to stop him from taking part in the festivities.

“What they do not know is that they are giving Mr Lungu Rock star status and people will not want to pay attention to what he is doing,” he said.

He said the police also needed to be professional and should not have allowed the attack on Lungu who did not go there to cause anarchy.

Mpombo said that it was apparent that the UPND had developed fear for Lungu and they were determined to do everything possible to make his life unbearable.

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