PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has appealed to the people of the Copperbelt to maintain peace and order, saying violence and lawlessness have no place in the new Zambia his government is trying to build.
Speaking during the UPND fundraising dinner in Ndola last night, President Hichilema, affectionately addressing locals as ‘Abena Kopala’ said his government is running the country in an organised way and his focus is to rebuild the economy.
The Head of State said many Zambians were still adjusting to this new way of doing things because, for years, they had been used to disorder and political interference in everything.
“I know Zambians have not been used to this style of management,” President Hichilema said.
“That is why you can see there is a bit of grappling and sometimes standing aside. But you will be okay. I can see where we are going.”
President Hichilema said the UPND government made a decision to take a different route by starting with difficult reforms such as debt restructuring and restoring the rule of law.
“We knew this is the route we would walk,”the President said.
“That is why we started with debt restructuring. Without debt restructuring, there would be no investments I’m talking about.”
The President explained that foreign investors are now returning to Zambia because they can see stability, things that were missing in the past.
The Head of State further warned against bringing back the culture of political violence and intimidation that once made the Copperbelt a hotspot for cadres who terrorised others.
“So, Abena Kopala, don’t destroy your own opportunities,” he said.
“We have a path we are walking. Let us not go back to thuggery.”
President Hichilema recounted the time when, as an opposition leader, he was violently attacked during a radio interview in Ndola by political cadres who stormed the Sun FM studio where he was made to go through the window.
By George Musonda
Kalemba November 9, 2025
