M’membe Accuses UPND Of Double Standards Over Stadium Chants
Socialist Party President Dr Fred M’membe accused the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government of hypocrisy over its condemnation of political chants at Nkana Stadium. He said the ruling party used football grounds to push its own political agenda before the elections.
Dr M’membe was responding to a statement from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, which he said showed political hypocrisy and selective amnesia on the part of the UPND administration. The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Kangwa Chileshe, had called the chanting during Saturday’s league match between Nkana FC and Makeni All Stars in Kitwe unacceptable. He warned that it could provoke rival groups and create unnecessary tension.
The opposition leader said his party agreed that sport should remain peaceful and unifying. He questioned, however, why the Government was treating the incident as a threat.
“Since when did spontaneous expressions of the public’s feelings at football matches become a national security threat?” he asked.
Dr M’membe said the UPND could not claim the moral high ground because its own history contradicted its current position. Before the polls, he said, the party’s supporters repeatedly, loudly and proudly chanted “Salt Sana” and “Bally” slogans at football matches without interference.
“At that time, neither the previous administration nor the soccer authorities weaponised the state apparatus to silence them,” he said. “They enjoyed the full freedom of expression that a democratic Zambia guarantees.”
The chants at Nkana Stadium were reported to have included “Pe Lampi”, the campaign song of detained opposition figures Mr Brian Mundubile and Mr Makebi Zulu. Dr M’membe said Zambians were now using chants such as “Pelampi” and “Inyali” to express their discontent, and that the ruling party had suddenly found concern for the sanctity of sport only after the tables turned.
In his view, the Government applies one rule to its own supporters and another to everyone else.
“To the UPND, political chanting is only peaceful and democratic when it praises the ruling elite, but it becomes ‘provocative’ and ‘dangerous’ the moment it reflects the struggles and frustrations of ordinary citizens,” he said.
The Socialist Party leader insisted that the same standard must apply to every side. If the “Salt Sana” chants were a legitimate exercise of free speech before the elections, he said, the opposition chants heard today were equally legitimate.
“What is good for the goose must be good for the gander,” Dr M’membe said.
He urged the Government to stop panicking over stadium chants and deal instead with what he described as the real causes of public discontent. These included political repression and tyranny, high fuel prices, the cost of living and economic mismanagement.
“You can not cure the fever by smashing the thermometer,” he said.
Dr M’membe closed with an appeal on behalf of young people and football supporters. “Let the youth and the sports fans express themselves freely, just as you did when you sought their votes,” he said.
The Ministry’s position remains unchanged. Mr Chileshe called on the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), the Zambia Premier League and all clubs to caution supporters, step up sensitisation and make sure political chants are not tolerated at matches.
“Sport must not be used as a platform for advancing political agendas,” the Permanent Secretary said, adding that clubs must take responsibility for their supporters and that the Nkana incident must not set a precedent.
UPND Copperbelt Provincial Chairperson Mr Elisha Matambo took a harder line. He described the scenes as “hooliganism dressed in political colours” and called on the police, FAZ and stadium management to identify those responsible. He also urged party members on the Copperbelt to report anyone seen chanting, displaying political symbols or causing trouble at sporting events.
Mr Mundubile and Mr Zulu remain in detention. FAZ, the Zambia Premier League and Nkana FC have yet to say publicly what action they will take on the Ministry’s directive.
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