Government has given the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) the green light to hold its planned rally in Kabwata constituency scheduled for tomorrow.
Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu says decision to allow the UPND to go ahead with their planned rally was arrived at following a successful consultative meeting he had with Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani and Lusaka Police Commissioner Joyce Kasosa, respectively.
Mr. Lungu has however stated that police officers will not be present at the rally because of the UPND’s confrontation approach they have taken over the matter.
He said it is the responsibility of the UPND leadership through their Marshalls that they ensure maximum peace before, during and after the rally.
Mr. Lungu said the leadership of the opposition party will be answerable for any violent act that may occur before, during or after their rally, adding that the challenge now lies with the UPND in ensuring that the rally is violent free.
He said the UPND must nonetheless bear in mind that the earlier decision by the police in Lusaka to deny them permission to hold their planned rally on grounds that the opposition party could not be trusted to hold a violent free rally was done in good faith.
Mr. Lungu said the police’s stance was not in any way meant to deny the UPND their freedom of assembly or association as enshrined in the constitution.
The Home Affairs Minister said every Zambian saw for themselves the violent acts that were perpetrated by UPND cadres when they assaulted an innocent police officer who was merely carrying out his duty to safeguard the lives of the general public and those of UPND cadres.
He told journalists at a press briefing in Lusaka today that it was against this background that the police denied the UPND notice to their rally.
“However, though they refused to heed to calls by the Lusaka police commissioner to have dialogue over the issue, as provided for under the Public Order Act.
“ We will allow them to proceed with their planned rally because we want to discourage the spirit of confrontation and violence and at the same time foster the spirit of peace and dialogue because that is what our Government believes in,” Mr. Lungu said.
He appealed to the leadership of the opposition party to ensure they adhere to the provisions of the Public Order Act by ensuring they have enough Marshalls to oversee the event according to the assurance they gave the police in their notice to hold the rally.
Mr. Lungu implored the UPND to cooperate with the police by ensuring that they have an audience with the Provincial Commissioner today so that they can discuss on how best the rally can be policed to avoid acts of violence by UPND cadres as witnessed in the recent past.
“Further the UPND leadership is urged to ensure that their cadres respect members of the public who may be either near the venue of their rally or along the roads leading to the venue for the rally by avoiding the use of unpalatable language or any form of annoying behaviour,” he said.
Yesterday, the opposition party announced that its planned public rally in Kabwata will go ahead after various consultations with Zambia Police.
In a statement made available to the media by Kuchunga Edwin Simusamba, the Deputy general Secretary for Politics, UPND said that Police has agreed to allow the rally to proceed.
” On behalf of the United Party for National Development (UPND), I would like to inform members of the general public that the planned rally in Kabwata will go ahead this Sunday 27th January 2013, starting at 12:00hrs at Kabwata Basic School grounds, ” read the statement
“This follows various consultations between the UPND and the government. The Police has finally agreed to follow the law by allowing the rally to proceed. See you there! Zambia forward,” concluded the statement.
Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Minister said he has powers to bring into extinction a society that threatens the country’s peace, law and order.
He said his ministry has been closely following events in the MMD and has since warned senior MMD officials that the current happenings in the party had the potential to disrupt peace and harmony in the country.
He said he will not hesitate to invoke the powers vested in him as a custodian of law and order in the country to act on the former ruling party if they fail to resolve their internal differences.
Mr. Lungu urged the MMD to straighten out their differences before filling in of nomination for the Mpongwe and Livingstone by election begin saying the party risk not taking part in the two by elections.
He said the Police will not allow a situation where two different factions from the same party bring different names of candidates for nomination on the two by elections.
ZANIS
Banana republic of Zambia
Someone should tell them nothing lasts forever. What they are doing is being put in record and time to account for these mesh-ups will come
When a country’s kapokolas goes against its people, the national service (some call national guard, army) go out and protect citizens. GBM & his civilized fellows will take care of us on Sunday from the drunker master-Lungu
I’m not a believer in conspiracy theories, but I smell something fishy. Why will Police not be there when we the tax payers pay them to manage events such as these.
Is the Minister saying that when PF cadres come with a boatload of buses from Kulima tower to disrupt the rally, the Police will not be there to stop them?
Isn’t this a clarion call from this Minister to PF cadres to go to the rally , beat up and butcher anybody who will be there as the Police will not be there to stop them and arrests them?
I think this statement is very irresponsible coming from a Home Affairs Minister and I hope the police do not listen to him but show up because PF cadres will be there to disrupt this meeting. We have seen them at HH court cases , why not at a rally.
mmd bootlicker. now has changed to support upnd. muselela kwakaba. u are a man with no moral compass and that’s why you are always supporting the wrong parties mostly for you own selfish reasons.
Ba Kels mwila isebanya kwapapata!
Kels I think you are confused and disoriented. That is what free internet blogging from State House does to your head. Where in my submission did I say that I have defected from MMD to join UPND? I’m addressing a civil issue here and it has nothing to do with partisanship. The police are paid to maintain law and order and they cannot use the excuse above used by the minister, that is what this discussion is about. It is not about supporting UPND.
You got to now by now that am above changing parties driven by politics of the belly. I’m self sustaining MMD member, been MMD, will always be MMD and will die MMD. Get that in your Kaponya head please. Not all of us are blinded by hunger and poverty like you
Kels is truly a product of mediocrity from statehouse….Be educated that ,civil rights in a democracy entails FREEDOMS….freedom of assembly, freedom of expression ,the bill of rights (no wonder why people like u find bill of rights too modern ,u wud better live in stone age exploitation) etc. MMD CHIEF BOOTLICKER is spot on , keep it bro….Police are paid from tax payers not pf …..why can’t they rise above pf??? Chief Bootlicker is too smart ,learned and analytical for you Kels….have a lyf
MMD Chief Bootlicker, Very well articulated and no need to waste any more time with Kels because his understanding and interpretation of issues is defective. Now I understand why they want to do away with the English language, it is to benefit people like Kels.
It baffles the mind why people like Kels cannot just read, understand and analyse what is in front of them. This problem of lack of comprehension of issues is an affront to the development of our social and economic well being of our country.
I am glad u are a die had mmd supporter. the point i was trying to make is, if upnd cadres can have no regard for human life by stoning a person even if he is a police officer in front of the whole nation, why should tax payers still pay for they protection. They are the ones asking for trouble and not the police. to those who feel my remarks are with no merit, ask your selves, was the brutal stoning of a person/ police officer doing his job justifiable.
if yes, then you are the same as that guy /mob who are intent on causing unnecessary trouble in our beautiful country.
That was what i also think will happen.Am sure they want to create an impression that rallies are prone to violence so that they can justify not giving permits.
Gents no police officers will be present @ the rally?? If you ask me that’s suicide. What sort of permit is that?? There will be blood shed lets hope PF cadres wont storm the rally. Am disappointed with the police what is their job kanshi?? why give responsibility to UPND to ensure their is order @ the rally. You police are paid from tax payers money and UPND member pay tax. The police service is now limited to Government and PF. ZP has become PF police. Foooooooooolish
and u have forgoten what happened to that innocent police officer. why put peoples lives even if they are police offices on adults who dont know how to behave them selves. to the zambia police office, save those who deserve protection, and not upnd
Who ever will support PF with this move is a …………………………(fill in the blanks)
Lovely ! Yes a good decision by the police lest they are beaten again by the ever violent UPND cadres.
That chap(Adam Banda) who was hit with a pan brick was not a police officer but a PF cadre disguised as a police officer. Adam Banda runs a Bar in Chawama and is a henchman for Home Affairs Minister and Chawama MP Edger Lungu
Very good decision NOT TO COMPLY WITH ITS STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS? R U mad or absolute *****? Ops, sorry, you are just a STUPID DEMAGOGUE.
Marshall law just took on a new definition 🙂
It is possible for police to be present in their capacity as marshalls in the interest of peaceful assembly rather than pick and choose when they are relevant. That said as much as the parties should be free to assemble the choice of Kabwata remains peculiarly poignant. Hope all who attend/turn up remember it matters not whom you support just behave like decent people at a peaceful rally. Period.
kindly go ahead and have ur rally, a good number of tax payer may nt evn atend the rally. remember upnd said that with or without the police permit they will go on and hv the rally bt y complaining now.
You are the sort of chaps who have messed-up this country with this kind of thinking. How can a sane person support this?? surely you are insane
The police must be careful not to lose public trust by being infiltrated by the PF government.
What will happen if the real Officers on duty tomorrow, decide to patrol Lusaka streets as they normally do, and try to monitor whatever noise will be in Kabwata. Will Libongani fire them?
Am sure its a no go area for the popo
just go ahead with or without the police, after all thats what you made us believe.
the onus is now on you to go ahead and ensure that your rally will be incident free with or without the police after all you are just supposed to notify them, not so?
whats the big deal now?
Is the honorable Minister suggesting that when people assemble for a public meeting, they simply begin to run amok!? Is this what he thinks of us Lusaka residents, that we are so vile and unruly that we should simply start battering the first thing that moves? What exactly would those attending this rally lash out at? the Police, the neighbourhood? Why would they do this?
This man calls himself a leader I call him a mediocre charlatan. Do not attempt to sound clever when you are most certainly not for you shall surely embarrass yourself sir! Can you do your duty then serve your party, you cannot have your political affiliations affecting all Zambians like this.
The UPND iz really overating its political strength. If there waz a way, it would be nice to just let the oppozition parties hold ralliez az they wish anytime, anywhere, including State House grounds. Zambianz have better and more serious thingz to worry about than attend rallies full of bitterness, frustration, desperation, anger and envy. We have a government in place and that wont change until probably in 2031, however many rallies the oppozition hold. So America’z, Britain’z, Ghana’z or should I say losing oppozition partiez in countriez where there were electionz must be holding ralliez…? And when do they offer checks and balances?
Exactly. Let the opposition test their popularity by holding rallies whenever and wherever they want. The people will decide whether to attend or not. The government is making a decision for the people by denying opposition parties permits to address voters. Many people would interpret that as the government is afraid of something or is hiding something.
This kind of shallow thinking is unbelievable. This PF government has really brought out in the open the scam of our land.
Yr thinking is laging in time, jack yrself forward.
My comment above is response to THE ONLY LIVING JAY’s
Mr is advising the UPND to have an audience with the Provincial Police command but on other he is saying tht Police won’t be there so why wasting time meeeting them when they lready know that thry won’t be available
it sad to note that Zambia Police force has been turn into PF cadres despite geting tax payers money.
Edgar Lungu your days are numbered. where are the once vocal some called Ngos??????
bad decision mr Minister. the job of the police is to keep order. every zambian deserve protection regardless of the party they support. we are you watching you. your numbers in the boat are slowly dropping because of your pathetic decision making. think like national leaders. its better not give the permit than giving a permit and living people to butcher themselves
This useless minsterdrunkard. We thank the plice for being professionaland will police the rally bcoz that’s their duty after all.
Maybe the army should take up the responsibility of protecting us. ZP has been taken over by PF and can’t protect us, from mailon brothers, the satanist killers, smugglers of maize, corrupt snr PF officials etc….
I will wait to see what gonna happen tomorrow. Sucidal somebody’s freedom of assembly will be abused, rally goers cautioned think twice before you leave your house.
Go ahead without the police that is what you wanted.
I smell a big dead rat.
I have never heard of something as stoopid As this. If there is a fight who arrests the culprits? Citizen’s arrest? It won’t work if there is a riot. Police are paid to keep the peace not marshalls.
Does that man eat wastes from sewer lines…even his face fits police these are chaps who have been masquerading as lawyers and yet they belong to the regime that has lost its values!we don’t need the police they can hang …but Lungu must know that those police men and woman are paid for by the people who will attend that rally…if Stella libongani does not send police there we shall keep that record for future used even her grand children won’t have peace in future in case shes not the to answer charges in future…
Well this is a good thing because we don’t need the PF police to beat up peaceful protesters. I really hope the Zambian people are taking note of these useless cowboys running down our country. I hope who ever is organising this protest will have an army of volunteers to help and aim for a peaceful protest so that these *****s don’t have an excuse to start hacking innocent people to death. Please organise yourselves and avoid falling in a trap. PF police will be there to case confusion.
The last time this was done when we opposed chiluba’s third term bid, there was serious violence as mmd cadres stormed the rally at kafue roundabout.
Should there be violence at the rally, the government of the day will have to bear some responsibility. The Police should not be seen to be cowards just because some unruly cadres beat up one of them. Aren’t the police trained to handle any crowd? Innocent people may end up losing their lives or property if things get out of hand. They say prevention is better than cure. The mere presence of the police can deter violence.
I see violence.
But honestly why Kabwata? instead of being busy planning for the two by elections you go to Kabwata, Does it Mean those people will vote in Livingstone and Mpongwe?
If the reason for the rally is the looming sacking of Given Lubinda, this will show desperation and desperation for a person in politics can be missinterpreted to be WEAKNESS.
What kind of a country is this kanshi mwebantu?Ba police ukufwita incito?This is a case of gross negligence on the part of ba police and Govt,only time will tell.
The Police gave their reasons why they felt this rally should not go ahead and invited the UPND to meet with them to chart an amicable way forward. What did we get from UPND? The usual arrogance! They have now allowed you to go ahead and you are now calling them all sorts of names. We all have an idea of what may transpire at this rally. All we can hope for is that the Police will keep vigil from a distance and quell whatever disorder may flare up. Should there be any violence or any disturbance to the peace in Kabwata some people should take responsibility for the ramification of their actions and the law should punish them accordingly.
What do you have in place of your brain?
You Conclaves are an example of the sort of Zambians Field Ruwe was talking about in his article on ‘intelligence or lack of it’. In your case the latter. You can never contribute on any topic without exposing the fact that your reasoning is lower than that of pond life. And you are simply put the scum we do not need in Zambia. You ask what I have for a Brain? My answer to that is a very brilliant Brain! Something you obviously never encounter in your daily life and probably will never.
Just answer the question!
I have answered you muppet! Can’t think as well as read and understand I see!
The govt is a system and has no need to be take things personal. This is a joke, ka! The police are scared of UPND violent behaviour and therefore won’t risk sending their men and women in uniform! This can only happen in Zambia, nowhere else. This is extreme comedy.
Policing is a public good/service and not a political/personal possession!! This is a very foolish decision!! In some developed what is taken into account is the cost of policing which in most cases are past on to the organisers of the event (s) – we need such a model!!
Very irresponsible for a minister t0 say this.he is now commanding the police not to be there.He has sunk so low.he has become a kabwata commanding officer
1. “He said the Police will not allow a situation where two different factions from the same party bring different names of candidates for nomination on the two by elections”.
Just a point of correction Honourable Minister, that is the function of Electoral commission of Zambia and NOT Zambia Police.
2. “Mr. Lungu said the police’s stance was not in any way meant to deny the UPND their freedom of assembly or association as enshrined in the constitution”. So you know but went ahead to breach the constitution on previous occasions?
Whatever , the Zambian government will still be responsible period
Zambia needs serious prayers.
What kind of boma is this? Police are there to make sure that there’s Law and Order in any country. Zambia cannot abrogate their responsibilities. Libongani and Lungu must be fired. They are the ones that have adopted a confrontational attitude. PF has failed to rule. I wish UPND well so that Lungu and company are shamed.
You can’t understand some pipo ‘s behaviour they were complaining that their rits re being restrictd.they vowed to go ahead with the rally come wat may,but after they ve been given a go ahead.some re stil complainin,just go ahead with that rally with or without ba buma.I pray that you be given permits every weekend
its very sad that we have to get permissions from government to enjoy our rights…thats why i like the arab way of doing things,this time atleast there were going to be protests to have this govt out of office!
The end of pf as a conduit of deception begins today at midday. Prepare your exit speeches because 2016 might happen this year.
Sata……nism is the new religion in Zambia!
the best thing ever..viva UPND..we were looking forward to this rally..make sure the pf cadres are handled ..
There will be violent scenes which will conveniently be used by police to put their points across. Police ought to be there whenever rallies are held. Innocent people will be injured and then police will straight away arrest UPND political leaders and lock them up for a long time.
Ati ‘you wanted to hold the rally with or without the police. Now that the police are not going to man the rally, you are complaining’. Unbelievable, coming from some zambians. So what coice does UPND or indeed any party have? One person gets hurt and the solution is to ban rallies! Bane, lets all contribute our energies to bring back this country to sanity, lest we all become zombies in zombia!
I like the important info you supply on your content.I’ll bookmark your website and check out once again listed here continually.I’m really definitely sure I’ll master a whole lot of latest things ideal listed here! Fantastic luck to the subsequent!