By Francis Chipalo
UPND Munali Constituency Parliamentary Candidate Thomas Sipalo has called for dignity, tolerance and peace during campaigns, saying political violence should never be tolerated and that Zambians will still be neighbors after the August 13 elections.
Sipalo said he has faced insults, attacks, threats and false allegations over the last 3 months, including from people he personally helped for many years.
“In the last 3 months I’ve been insulted, attacked, threatened and had lies spread about me even by colleagues who I personally helped for many years. Others are still occupying my properties for free,” he said.
Despite the provocations, Sipalo said he has refused to respond with insults, violence or rage.
“My passion and focus is to give MUNALI constituency a good mature visionary representation that will bring development to our people,”he stated.
The UPND candidate said politics must unite, not divide communities.
“I believe politics is supposed to bring us together, not tear us apart. Away from politics we remain brothers and sisters who will need to stay side by side after 13 August,”he said.
Sipalo urged all candidates, supporters and residents of Munali to campaign with respect in the remaining days before polling day.
“Let’s disagree without fighting. Let’s campaign with dignity. Let’s respect each other’s political affiliation,” he appealed.
Meanwhile, various stakeholders have expressed worry with some pockets of political violence that have been recorded in some parts of the country.
Democratic Union President Ackim Antony Njobvu warns that the violence being recorded should not be ignored, further warning that that’s how wars have been started elsewhere.
Njobvu has emphasized the need for issue – based campaigns.
