The Editor Zambia
At a time when the world is grappling with a historic energy shock, the conduct of Patriotic Front (PF) and Pamodzi Alliance leader Makebi Zulu exposes a troubling lack of political maturity.
Zulu’s attempt to reduce a complex global fuel crisis into a simplistic attack on government is not only misleading but reveals an amateurish grasp of both economics and leadership. 
The current fuel shortages affecting Zambia are not an isolated failure of policy or planning but part of a broader global disruption triggered by instability in the Middle East, particularly around critical supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
This is a crisis that has pushed oil prices upward, strained supply chains, and forced even the most advanced economies to tap into strategic reserves.
To pretend that Zambia is an island that exists outside this global system is either ignorance or deliberate deception.
Yet Zulu has chosen the path of political theatrics. By condemning government in absolute terms and portraying the situation as purely domestic incompetence, he is effectively telling Zambians that global realities do not matter.
That is not leadership. That is opportunism dressed up as concern.
What makes this posture even more glaring is that there are voices within the opposition who understand the gravity of the situation and have chosen restraint.
Fred M’membe, leader of the Socialist Party and Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP) president, have been critical of government on many fronts, yet they have not descended into the kind of reckless politicisation that Zulu is now championing.
That distinction matters since it separates serious political actors from those still learning the basics of governance.
In contrast, President Hakainde Hichilema has approached the crisis with the level of seriousness it demands. As both an economist and a seasoned politician, he understands that global shocks require coordinated responses rather than empty rhetoric.
His engagement with oil marketing companies, his warnings against hoarding, and his directive for both short – and long-term interventions all point to a leadership style anchored in pragmatism.
The reality is that Zambia has maintained fuel stocks and is actively working to stabilise supply despite external pressures.
The involvement of industry players and continued dialogue within the sector demonstrate that this is not a government asleep at the wheel but one navigating turbulent global waters.
Challenges at filling stations, while frustrating, are symptoms of a strained global system rather than proof of State collapse.
Zulu’s rhetoric, therefore, does more than misinform. It undermines national cohesion at a time when collective responsibility is needed.
By framing a global crisis as a local failure, Zulu invites public anger to be directed at the wrong targets.
Worse still, Zulu erodes confidence in institutions that are actively working to mitigate the impact of forces beyond their control.
This pattern is not new. The same instinct to politicise sensitive national matters has been observed before, including in moments that required sobriety and unity.
Instead of demonstrating growth, Zulu appears committed to repeating the same miscalculations, mistaking noise for relevance and provocation for leadership.
Politics is not merely about opposition but about offering credible alternatives grounded in reality. It requires the discipline to distinguish between what the government can control and what it can not. It demands honesty with citizens, even when the truth is inconvenient.
By these standards, Zulu falls short. His approach betrays a superficial understanding of both governance and global economic governance.
It raises serious questions about his readiness not just for the presidency but even for the basic responsibilities of leading an opposition political movement.
Zambians deserve better than recycled outrage and shallow analysis. They deserve leaders who can rise above cheap politics and engage with the real challenges facing the nation.
In moments of crisis, character is revealed. Unfortunately for Zulu, what is being revealed is not leadership but its absence.
