The Editor Zambia
The circulation of photographs and video clips on social media showing Tonse-Pamodzi Pamodzi Alliance political thugs changing into United Party for National Development (UPND) regalia should not be dismissed as mere innocent social media postings.
Coming against the backdrop of the admission by Binwell Mpundu of sponsored training of Tonse- Pamodzi Alliance thugs to cause confusion in this year’s elections, this calls for renewed appeals for authorities to immediately arrest the perpetrators of violence before voting day that is only a week away. 
Many observers have rightly warned that Zambia cannot afford a return to the Patriotic Front (PF) era of political violence and disregard for the rule of law to frustrate President Hakainde Hichilema’s relentless efforts to ensure there is peace in the country.
For some time now, Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance has failed to campaign on ideas and policies, but resorted to preaching violence, which its political actors like Mpundu now want to turn into actual violence.
Authorities should understand that these are not mere allegations of organised violence but issues that Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance leaders like Mpundu have admitted to be going on and now caught on camera.
In short, they deserve a professional investigation and arrests before the whole country starts dealing with full-fledged violence.
As the election campaign gathers momentum, the responsibility for safeguarding peace rests with political leaders, institutions, and citizens alike.
What is interesting is that Zambia has been here before with the same players from PF who have now moved to Tonse- Pamodzi Alliance without abandoning their violent ways of achieving their means.
Coming to the photos and video clips of Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance thugs changing into UPND regalia, no Zambian needs reminding that the PF which has morphed into Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance has a documented history of manufacturing crises to play the victim and stoke division.
The most notorious chapter came under Mr Steven Kampyongo as Minister of Home Affairs, but the script was written much earlier.
Under the late President Michael Sata, the PF conjured up an imaginary group called “Tonga under Oaths.” The then Lusaka Province Police Commissioner, Ms. Charity Katanga was deployed to give the claims credibility.
The allegation was grotesque: that the group had killed a Bemba child in Mazabuka and was ordering all Bemba people out of Southern Province.
The PF did not stop there. Next came the story that Bemba fishermen were being chased off the Kafue River.
The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit delivered tents to supposedly “displaced” people who did not exist. The story quickly collapsed.
Then came the market fires and the gassing incidents. Many died, including schoolchildren. Paid voices were lined up to blame the then opposition leader, President Hakainde Hichilema, and the UPND. That narrative also failed because Zambians refused to be baited.
Now, in opposition, the PF and its Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance appear to be dusting off the same playbook.
Leaked reports reveal an alleged plan to stage attacks on their own campaign teams as they tour Southern Province.
Recruits, it is claimed, would be hired, masked, and instructed to stone their own vehicles in Monze, Choma, and Kalomo.
Media teams would reportedly be on standby. The alleged objective would be to return to Eastern and Northern provinces with video footage and claim, “This is what Southerners are doing to us.”
Zambians rejected this in 2016. They rejected it in 2021. They will reject it again in 2026.
We owe it to the market traders, schoolchildren, and farmers who paid the price last time to say it plainly: do not set this country ablaze for votes.
With abundant evidence caught on camera and admission by Mpundu of some people being sent for training abroad to cause confusion, the law must immediately act swiftly by arresting the perpetrators without flinching because the memories of PF (now Tonse- Pamodzi Alliance) violence is still fresh.
