UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema says the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) should ban all offensive weapons such as pangas and knives from being sold on the streets until after the presidential election on Tuesday.
And Mr Hichilema has appealed to his members to preach peace and love in the face of provocation from other political parties.
In a statement released by the party’s publicity and information office yesterday, Mr Hichilema condemned political parties instigating and causing political violence which he said must be condemned in the strongest terms.
“Political parties instigating and causing political violence must be condemned in the strongest terms,” he said.
Mr Hichilema said that there should be amnesty and a withdrawal of all offensive weapons, adding that the police should move in strongly on people who have those weapons.
He said that reports suggesting that UPND is causing any form of violence in some parts of the country are regrettable and must be condemned.
Mr Hichilema urged the police to act professionally and swiftly in accordance with the law to arrest perpetrators of violence.
And UPND chairperson for women affairs Namakau Kabwiku has denounced violence and urged party members to remain peaceful even under provocation.
Ms Kabwiku said at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that violence breeds more violence and so UPND members should stay away.
She said Zambia is a democracy and so everyone must be allowed to express their views without being intimidated.
“We don’t want violence in this country. Our youths are capable of hitting back but we want peace,” Ms Kabwiku said.
Pangas, how many people are they going to panga? On election day they can not be everywhere, first week in government, We should cage Chagwa, let him account for all the pangas he has put in the hands of these cadres. We can not easily lose freedom which my father, uncle etc fought for because of these maroons. Chief justice Chagwa can not direct them stop selling pangas, please stay in doors for safety but on election day get out in big numbers, if they give you money, t-shirts, beer please accept and say EL but vote HH. They have stolen enough to share, this is our money.
You are out of your mind just like HH!
Firstly, the ECZ doesn’t ban sell of anything and anyone with knowledge of how Government works would know that. Secondly, its the perpetrators of crime not the weapon at fault here. How do you stop the majority of people who use these items for their intended purposes? Thirdly, political parties must not say one thing in the press but provoke others in the streets. Even when their cadres are arrested and charged, these leaders don’t openly acknowledge and condemn their own. Fourthly, the punishment must fit the crime. Our police service and courts need to get a grip, try these cases quickly, publicly and hand out quick stern judgments.
The most !diotic and reckless statement to come from a someone claiming to be a leader.
Its lacking in judgement and direction.
Ok..pangas and knives are baned from being sold on the streets…. how about those being sold in supermarkets and hardware stores?
Are you saying this with a wet diaper? Ask Maureen to change your wet diaper please
Huyu Hwena Habwelapo Hfye. Hecho Halushila. Halingisha Hat-trick Hkale Hnomba Hkwashala Double Brace next week.
honestly, ECZ is not a farm please, can someone tell these people not to be talking in public whatever hh dreams???
Linkman, your post is spot on. I read the heading and was wondering which Government agency called ECZ that HH was referring to. ECZ mandate is to facilitate elections in the most efficient and transparent way possible. Security is not part of that mandate. HH is a smart guy, but even smart people have to be called out on political statements whose reasoning is flawed.
Am a farmer and nobody will stop me from
Buying my panga
@deja vu
Yep, you’re lucky you’ll have money this Friday to pay for your panga – Thank Mr. Hichilema.
(Although they will probably not be available since HH has directed, and PF will do)
Pangas are part of the PF culture. This thug culture was allowed to grow over the period they have been in power. They will not be able to change their spots over night.
All the best with the debate this evening Mr President. You will shine with or without EL there.
Dont sell on the streets but sell in shops and game stores you hear me.
My ancestors ran away from shaka panga cadres and yet there no street vendors in sa sellin pangaz.
There are no stones lying around in western (central streets) but if riots broke out, the police are stoned.
In short a panga is not violent neither is a knife.
In Mongu , without using a panga an ex cop was brought down in a split second
These Pangas,axes,slashers,screw drivers, knives and knives should be banned from the streets forever and only those who have licenses should be allowed to trade in such items and the place of trade should be in a designated shop and no one should buy more than 40 unless he/she is a retailer in rural areas and has a Tpin or Tax Clearance certificate.
This will tremendously reduce crime and assaults during,on and after Elections
These Pangas,axes,slashers,screw drivers, knives and all sort of offensive weapons should be banned from the streets forever and only those who have licenses should be allowed to trade in such items and the place of trade should be in a designated shop and no one should buy more than 40 unless he/she is a retailer in rural areas and has a Tpin or Tax Clearance certificate.
This will tremendously reduce crime and assaults during,on and after Elections
Thuggery behavior originated from UNIP being called UNIP vigilantees who used shambokos to beat anyone oppossed to KK. From UNIP thugs moved to MMD & Sata equipped them with pangas. From MMD they moved to PF and equipped with pangas and knives. From PF they will move to UPND with pangas, knives and guns. An act of parliament on the way forward will do otherwise palibe zambwino/kunyina zibotu pe!
PF IS ALWAYS VERY DEFENSIVE OF ITS DEADLY BEHAVIOR. THESE THUGS AND CRIMINALS IN PF GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE RULING THIS COUNTRY. THESE ARE THUGS WHO THRIVE IN DISORDER AND ANARCHY. THIS EDGAR LUNGU IS A DEADLY DICTATOR AND HE HAS A SERIOUS AGENDA TO BRING CHAOS AND CONFUSION IN OUR COUNTRY ONCE HE BECOMES PRESIDENT NEXT WEEK. THESE MUSLIMS FROM NIGERIA WHICH HE HAS INVITED TO COME AND STAY IN OUR COUNTRY IS A SERIOUS DANGER TO THE CITIZENS OF ZAMBIA. LUNGU IS SERIOUSLY CONNECTED TO BOKOHARAM! WE NEED TO BE WATCHFUL AND PRAYERFUL. WE NEED TO VOTE WISELY NEXT TUESDAY. GOD HAS GIVEN US HIS SERVANT HH TO LEAD US. VIVA HH VIVA!
I dont whether its ignorance of the law or that HH was misqouted. Under which law would the ECZ ban the sale of offensive weapons? I agree that Police must act professionally and swiftly but above all the political leaders. They must not publicaly condemn but secretly encourage. This last point appears to be what is obtaining in both the UPND and PF.
Ba HH bena te sana. is this the guy mwebati economist? first ati vote me I wont steal I am already rich then ati ba ECZ please ban sale of pangas and knives. the more you have the more you want this is an economics maxim. so if you are rich then you are going to steal more. secondly what mandate has ECZ on commerce? Pangas are not for hacking one another man. they are for cutting bushes and bamboos. using them on fellow human beings is abuse of panga. Don’t overplay panga issue. where have you seen people with pangas? pangas were introduced by Kabimba. they went with him. Edgar will ensure rainbow does not bring them back. is that the way you intend to run the country? just as well you wont win!
Yes he will have to recover the billion he has wasted
Should someone also buy matches on licence because of arsons?
@Matondolo
apples and oranges….
AMENSHI AKONKA UMUFOLO.
you cant take a panga away from Pf just like you cant take pf from pangas. Its the (Panga Family).
Don’t you recall the Chawama panga incident? that was the foundation.
But what is PF to orchestrate this violence in our land? Ladies and gentlemen I am convinced that Lungu will be a terrible dictator of Zambia should Lungu become Zambia’s next president for the following reasons:
1. The parentage clause still bars Lungu just like Lubinda, GBM, Scott, and Mulenga Sata but why Lungu on the run still? PF has no legal presidential candidate according to my knowledge despite the efforts done by the Acting Chief Justice, Defense Chiefs in faking a reconciliation.
2. Lungu has proved to be a security threat to Zambia in light of the recent trip to Zimbabwe for violence and rigging techniques, the trip to Nigeria threatening to take away Zambia’s Christian constitutional right.
In light of the evils by PF I propose a trial voting to test the ballot papers.
HH is really a baby, how does he expect ECZ to ban the sale of a commododity which is not even under their control? It was even going to be better to do that through ZP. Hakaivotela Humwine doesn’t even know the functions of ECZ surely and he wants to be given an opportunity to run the country……..? No no no ……. Let him run for councillorship in a ward in Monze. Ifintu ni EL…….
It is possible to pass a law banning carrying of pangas’, sharp instruments and offensive weapons in public. It is very reasonable to do so. Why should one carry a panga to a rally or whilst mingling with public. If you have bought a panga for farming, then use it in the bush.
It is shocking that people are opposing HH’s request. Wait until you lose an ear from these panga welding thugs then you will remember HH’s appeal.
It is all in our interest to stop this panga culture before rampant hacking becomes common occurrence. It is not about HH but safe guarding our communities.
These characters running around with Pangas’ are no where near being classified as farmers, so what the heck are they doing with Pangas’ in Town.
Violence is bad and all loving Zambians should not embrace it. However, HH is speaking as if people that own pangas are from a particular party. What he should have said is to tell his cadres not own pangas. HH speaks as if he is under gun point. What is the mandate of ECZ? Which department is mandated to regulate business or security? This is rain season and people are using pangas to cut shrubs and grass. Should election stop them farming? Police is there to provide security.
The Police should arrest the chief thug who is Edgar Lungu. You should have seen the drunk Lungu at the Kapiri rally. The man must have been drinking in his Chopper. The DEC must move in because Lungu behaves like a drugged musician on stage; he could be sniffing before landing.
Guy Scott know the truth and I do not know why he wants Zambia to go backwards. They almost deported him to Scotland and the British had to come to his aid. Even the old lady Wina Inonge seem to have found a new evening touch to keep her awake.
Iwe Chi Munkombwe,If you want a Tonga President, why did UPND decide to compose their campaign song (Moses wanomba) in Bemba.
They shud have sang it in Tonga.Malabishi
We’ll withdraw the song so that you can compose your own in Tonga.
Kikikiki
MMMH BA HH. BANING PANGAS AFTER YOUR CADRES HAVE ALREADY BOUGHT THEM
I think this is very reasonable, a safety and precautionary measure. Only sell them in shops that will be licenced to sell them. In developed nations you can’t buy guns or hunting knives off the streets unless you are a dealer or into crime. There are certain places that one can buy a gun and they are registered and people buying them are on record. That is why they are able to track or associated a gun used in a shooting to the owner and know if it was reported stolen or not. It helps reduce people from buying them due to them being on file. Same thing can be done in Zambia as a Panga in the PF management seems to be their favourite weapon of choice to murder innocent people. They really should be kept off the street for everyone’s sake even children or youth. Time for serious changes.