By Katoka MweendaOn August 4, 2026, Lusaka Times published Michael Lombe’s commentary, The Dangerous Return of PF: Staged Political Violence. If citizens are arrested for expressing themselves on social media, then opposition “thugs” cannot operate freely in the streets without protection from President Hichilema. There is no credible evidence that anyone other than UPND cadres is driving this wave of political violence. If the government can deploy that kind of force there, why has it failed to arrest the “opposition thugs” Mr. Lombe now blames? If political violence is to end, those responsible—regardless of party—must be held accountable.