IT is common knowledge that one of the reasons that led to the Patriotic Front losing power to the United Party for National Development in the August 12, 2021, general elections is the wanton lawlessness perpetrated by cadres of the former ruling party.
The beatings and thuggery that traders, bus and taxi drivers as well as members of the public endured at the hands of the PF cadres became too much to bare.
The cadres had become law unto themselves and could not even be controlled by police officers who feared reprisals if they dared to touch the PF cadres.
This is a destructive culture that Zambians were eager to dispense with when they decided to vote the PF out of office.
Unfortunately, some UPND cadres are trying to dare the people of Zambia by promoting lawlessness which President Hakainde Hichilema has openly vowed to fight.
On Wednesday, suspected cadres stormed Chelstone police station in Lusaka where they stoned PF members who were offering solidarity to senior party member Raphael Nakacinda.
Seven of the suspected cadres where detained by the police.
There have also been complaints from some markets where some cadres have allegedly been trying to start illegally collecting money from traders, which is contrary to the position taken by President Hichilema who has been clear on sanitising markets and bus stations of political cadres.
Yesterday, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu directed Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba to ensure that the rule of law is implemented fairly and professionally.
Mr Mwimbu said the police should ensure that the rule of law is strictly adhered to and that public institutions, such as police stations, should be safeguarded at all times.
He said no person will be allowed to cause anarchy in the country.
This is a message that the police should take seriously especially that President Hichilema has promised to support them to ensure that they carry out their duties fairly and professionally.
Right from the first engagement he had with journalists after being elected President on August 12, Mr Hichilema promised to end the culture of political cadres in the running of public affairs.
He pointed out that the New Dawn administration was not going to allow political cadres to do the things that the PF cadres did, attacking their opponents and harassing them, even when they made appearances on live radio programmes.
In as much as President Hichilema has vowed to respect the rule of law by upholding human rights as well as ensuring that people enjoy their freedoms as provided for by the Constitution, activities of party cadres are not helping matters.
Therefore, the need to ensure that police act swiftly and professionally to curtail what people may perceive to be a return of cader-ism cannot be overemphasised.