FIVE political parties in Livingstone have denounced political violence and attacks on journalists ahead of the August 11 General Elections.
The parties also called for a stop to a habit of ‘importing’ or ferrying party cadres from one part of the country to another as such manoeuvres usually incite political violence.
They further recommended that security wings of political parties should be affiliated to the Zambia Police Service to enhance proper policing by law enforcers.
This was announced at the Civic Centre in Livingstone yesterday during a joint media briefing chaired by Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) District chairperson Gideon Musonda.
The five political parties are Patriotic Front (PF), United Party for National Development (UPND), Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), Rainbow Party and United National Independence Party (UNIP).
PF Livingstone District chairperson John Mukosho said the ruling party would not tolerate violence in line with the guidance by the Republican President Edgar Lungu.
Mr Mukosho, who quoted the Bible from the book of Matthew 5:9, also urged youths to go for clean campaigns and desist from being used as tools for political violence.
“We are saying ‘Abashi’ to violence. We need each other and hence there is no need to fight one another,” Mr Mukosho said.
UPND Livingstone District vice chairperson for administration Lutangu Fwanyanga called for an end to a habit of ‘importing’ or ferrying political party cadres from one place to another as the trend was a source of conflicts and violence.
Mr Fwanyanga said his party would adhere to UPND president Hakainde Hichilema’s call for them to avoid violence even when they were under serious provocation from their opponents.
“We are also asking the Zambia Police Service to act professionally and avoid bringing Kamfinsa Police officers when local officers capacity to handle the campaigns in Livingstone,” Mr Lutangu said.
UNIP District Publicity Secretary Clifford Mubanga said security wings of political parties should be affiliated to the Zambia Police Service to enhance proper policing by law enforcers.
Mr Mubanga urged political parties to co-exist and tolerate each other regardless of their political affiliations because they only had a single country to live in.
“Our defacto security wings should be affiliated to the Zambia Police Service so that they are answerable if a crime has been committed within a given political party,” Mr Mubanga said.
Rainbow Livingstone District Secretary Evans Sakala urged political party leaders to preach peace as well as denounce violence and protect journalists during campaigns.
Mr Sakala said violence was a bad act regardless of who perpetuated the vice whether it was within a political party or outside a given party.
“Livingstone is a tourist capital and we will be scaring tourists if we engage in violence,” he said.
MMD Livingstone District chairperson Pumulo Anayuma said his party was ready to dialogue with opponents on how to end violence.
Mr Anayuma said the former ruling party would not tolerate violence within its ranks.
sontapo the violent party or parties as it is part of a solution to resolve or end violence…….maka…maka…….
sonta uko watwala ulupiya wakongola
Meanwhile the Police in Lusaka and the Copperbelt have not yet apprehended a single person in connection with the vandalization of UPND billboards. Who is the Commander-in-Chief? Edgar has lamentably failed, he has to be voted out.
Sela tutombeko kuli Mumbi na ifwe.
Thais from an i.diot. What a waste of space.
I visited Southern Province during the African Freedom Day holiday. I was struck with the tranquility and co-existent especially between PF and UPND. No torn posters. People wearing party regalia and moving freely. I noticed strong and visible presence of PF in Mazabuka, parts of Choma, Zimba and of course Livingstone. UPND were the dominating display, though.
That is democracy. That is the way it ought to be and rest of Zambia, let’s emulate the spirit of Livingstone indaba resolutions.
This peaceful coexistence only applies where non-Bembas predominate. Wherever Bembas are expect chaos, insults and violence. GBM has recently introduced these attributes to UPND. It is just one tribe that is sending Zambia into a downward spiral.
@3.1 – Buck Teeth Lungu,
Strange comment and timing. Not sure this the right time to play such a humourless ‘tribal cousinship’ card. I know the origins of such cousinship in central African history i.e. to bring about healing and forgiveness after decades and decades of horrific inter-tribal persecutions. But how come your comment is neither healing nor carries forgiveness nor humorous w.r.t. political violence? or are you seriously saying tribe is genetic as far as you are concerned? That paramount Chief Chitimukulu is genetically violent? And Paramount Chief Mpezeni is genetically peaceful? Is that the joke? I am missing something here.
good move. This is how mature adults should behave. Even at family level, each member of the family should feel free to support a political party based on individual conviction.
Ala ulubuli fiko
The fly in the ointment is that demon possessed clueless thieving drunkard president. Without him Zambia would be at peace. Get rid of him and problems will go away.
These chaps should be commended for such a move or decision and encourage others to follow suite, lets embarrass the leaders who are supposed to be driving this but have failed.
This is the way to go Livingstone !!!! Lusaka follow suite????
This gives hope. But Edgar and Inoge have failed. Edgar and his evil trio consisting of Kambwili, Chamb and Mumbi and their false prophet Frank Bwalya have failed Zambia. They should have been the ones to peace and say no to violence in practice, but sadly they don’t care seeing blood as long as PF is in power. Well done Livingstone.
sorry meant Chama
That is the way to go Livingstone. Congratulations. I think you need to twin with Beira in Mozambique! Beira is in the centre of the stronghold of the opposition and yet political parties campaigned side by side peacefully.
FORECAST FOR THE COMING WEEK : 1. GBM picked as Running Mate. 2.Cornelius Mweetwa forms breakaway UPND and demand a convention. 3. Maureen refuses to recognise GBM. 4.”I deserve this position because I spent my millions”-GBM 5. Mutati can file in nomination- ECZ 6. William Banda dumps HH. 6. Livingstone UPND threaten to support PF if GBM is not removed as Running Mate. 7. Split UPND enters poll
It’s funny how we all know who is causing all this confusion during rallies but unfortunately we are all scared to say it because we can be picked up by the police
Problem is no one is ready to admit wrong doing. Gbm misbehaved in Kitwe but no condemnation from Upnd. HH portrates defaced in Kitwe no apologies from pf.