United Party for National Development (UPND) Copperbelt provincial chairperson, Elisha Matambo, has condemned political chants at Nkana Stadium in support of incarcerated opposition figures Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu, warning that such conduct would not be tolerated at sporting venues.
The remarks follow reports of football fans chanting “Pe Lampi” slogans during matches, including the Zambia-Togo encounter, when supporters reportedly switched on their mobile phone lights after the stadium lights went off.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Matambo described the scenes at Nkana Stadium as disgraceful, accusing individuals with political agendas of turning a football match into a political rally.
“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 stadium.
What we witnessed at Nkana Stadium was disgraceful,” he stated.
Matambo alleged that individuals had chanted political slogans and displayed political symbols at the venue while families, children and other supporters had attended to watch football.
“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,” he said.
The former Copperbelt minister warned that the UPND would not tolerate similar conduct at sporting venues in the province.
“Not at Nkana. Not at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. Not at any sporting venue in this province.
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“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,” he said.
Matambo called on the Zambia Police Service, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), stadium management and other security agencies to identify those responsible and take action.
He said the government had the authority to maintain public order and could use lawful means to address disturbances at public events.
“Those who choose to test that resolve will find that the law is not a suggestion,” he said.
Matambo also urged UPND members and supporters across the Copperbelt to report individuals they suspected of disrupting sporting events to the police and security personnel.
“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,” he said.
He said those involved should be identified and reported to the authorities rather than waiting for another incident to occur.
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