STATEMENT: KEEP POLITICS OUT OF OUR STADIA. THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING.
To the people of the Copperbelt and the Zambian public,the election is over.The people of Zambia have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. Yet a small group of sore losers cannot accept that reality, and they have now dragged their bitterness into the one place where Zambians have always put politics aside: the football stadia.
What we witnessed at Nkana Stadium was disgraceful. Individuals with a political agenda turned a football match into a rally, chanting political slogans and flashing political symbols while families, children and genuine supporters came only to watch the game. That is not freedom of expression. That is hooliganism dressed in political colours, and the Copperbelt will not accept it.Let us be direct so that nobody can claim they were not told.
The UPND on the Copperbelt will not tolerate this behaviour ever again. Not at Nkana. Not at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. Not at any sporting venue in this province.
Stadiums belong to the football-loving public. They do not belong to political losers looking for attention. Our national teams, including the Zambia women’s team that will play on Tuesday, deserve the full, united support of this nation, not a stage for political provocation.
To the individuals who carried out this conduct, and to anyone organising, financing or encouraging them: you are on notice.
We are calling on the Zambia Police Service, FAZ, stadium management and all relevant security wings to identify the people behind this behaviour and deal with them firmly. Where laws have been broken, they must face the full consequences. Government has both the authority and the mandate to maintain public order, and it will use the necessary force, within the law, to stop those who disturb the peace at public events. Those who choose to test that resolve will find that the law is not a suggestion
To every UPND member and supporter across the Copperbelt, this is our call to you: be the eyes and ears of this province. If you see anyone chanting, flashing political symbols or stirring up trouble at a sporting event, do not look away and do not stay silent. Identify them, record what they did, and report them immediately to the police and the security wings at the venue so that action is taken. Every person involved must be named, reported and made to answer. We will not wait for the next incident before we act.
To every Zambian planning to attend Tuesday’s match: come as a football fan. Come to cheer the girls in green. Leave the political regalia, the slogans and the provocation at home. Anyone who comes to disrupt the game does so at their own risk.
To the nation: Zambia has moved past the election. The people gave President Hakainde Hichilema a clear mandate, and the work now is to build roads, schools, hospitals and jobs, and to grow this economy for every citizen. Let us allow President Hakainde Hichilema to develop this nation through the Grow Zambia agenda, without distractions, without provocation and without politics invading our playing fields. It is not our time to tear each other down. Those who cannot contribute to that work should at least stay out of the way of those who can.
We are One Zambia, One Nation. Respect the game. Respect the stadium. Respect the country. This is your final warning.
Hon Elisha Matambo
Copperbelt UPND Chairman