By AUSTIN KALUBA –

IT is nauseating, really nauseating. I mean the sickening penchant of Zambian politicians to wish their political opponents dead.
This has characterised Zambian politics since the country reverted to plural politics in 1991.
The diabolical acts include conducting mock funerals for rival politicians complete with mourners and pallbearers crying and, of recent, misinforming the public that a particular leader – usually the incumbent – is sick.
A classic example of these wicked acts included the prank by UNIP members against the late party leader Kebby Musokotwane when he briefly led the party to the chagrin of some members.
The party members organised a mock funeral for poor Kebby who later died shortly after the protest against his leadership.
Comparatively recently, the late poor Michael Sata’s sickness was treated comically by some Zambians who went to town on social media making fun of the President’s illness.
One self-styled political activist even called on the Government to set up a medical board to investigate the health status of President Sata.
He only shamefully withdrew his call when Mr Sata died.
I say this concerning reports on social media this week suggesting that the Head of State had been taken abroad for medical check-up after the initial campaign tour.
The social media reports were backed by a fabricated Press statement reportedly issued by Mr Chama.
PF secretary general Davies Chama has dispelled reports that President Edgar Lungu has been flown to South Africa for medical treatment.
It had to take President Lungu himself to announce that he is very well and enjoying the very best of health contrary to speculations in some media.
President Lungu, who made an impromptu visit to ZNBC studios at the Mass Media Complex in Lusaka yesterday in the morning, said he had access to medical facilities in Zambia when need arose.
No matter what differences political leaders have, can they sink so low as to wish each other ill or even dead?
Wishing someone ill in traditional Africa were the attributes of a wizard.
How come people are going back to those primitive days and yet we claim to be modern?
Can’t we emulate our friends in civilised countries who campaign on what they would do for their societies instead of engaging in mudslinging and wishing each other dead?