State House rubbishes M’membe’s militia recruitment

By NATION REPORTER

STATE House is shocked by the unguarded accusation by Dr Fred M’membe that President Hakainde Hichilema is allegedly constructing a parallel army under the guise of training youths under the Zambia National Service (ZNS).
Clayson Hamasaka, the State House Chief Communications Specialist says it is shocking and disappointing that Dr M’membe, a man wishing to lead the country could accuse President Hichilema of attempting to create parallel military brigades without any form of truth.
In a statement yesterday, Mr Hamasaka said Dr Mmembe made unverified claims, falsehoods, malice, and speculation, accusing the head of State attempting to establish a parallel army through the ZNS.
“Instead of perpetuating unfounded allegations, the opposition should occasionally commend efforts aimed at addressing societal challenges by President Hakainde Hichilema. The ZNS voluntary training programme is designed to equip young people with essential skills in trades such as plumbing, carpentry, tailoring and other artisan professions,” Mr Hamasaka said.
“These skills will empower them to secure employment or start their own ventures, contributing positively to the economy and staying away from lawlessness,” he said.
He said as a visionary leader, President Hichilema ws aware that not all the school leavers wcould be absorbed by colleges and universities and later the formal jobs, hence the idea of ZNS and many other skills training programmes being implemented to address what would be another challenge in future.
“If (Dr) M’membe and his colleagues in the opposition oppose this policy, we challenge them to tour the country and inform the youth and their parents not to participate in the ZNS skills training.
Let them argue that it is better for these young people to remain on the streets as ‘junkies,’ terrorising communities and succumbing to substance abuse,” Mr Hamasaka said.
He said the initiative was being implemented transparently, and Dr M’membe was welcome to enroll youths from his Socialist Party.
Mr Hamasaka said Dr M’membe’s strategy was clear, which was to make wild, incendiary statements about national security, and when questioned by law enforcement, would cry wolf that democratic freedoms were under threat to gain sympathy and funding from sponsors.
“We urge Fred M’membe to avoid inciting and misleading citizens. For once, let him make constructive contributions to the nation’s progress. It’s time for him to graduate and act responsibly,” he said.