Police Inspector General Kakoma Kanganja has assured Zambians that their lives are protected during this time when the country’s democracy is undergoing a critical test, reports Pan African Radio Journalist Hermit Hachilonde.
In a statement, Kanganja said the Police Service has put in place standby riot police in all the ten provinces of Zambia to maintain law and order especially after the Constitutional Court pronounces its verdict on the petition submitted last week by the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) over electoral malpractices in the 11th August 2016 general elections and national referendum vote.
He has since appealed to the general public to ignore all such propaganda spreading through the social media that there will be a civil strife if the Concourt’s ruling shall be biased towards one political party.
“We are ready for whatever the outcome will be. All provinces have put in place standby forces to with any situation. I wish therefore to assure the general public that they must feel protected and ignore all the propaganda that’s being spread through the social media” Kakoma kanganja said
Mr Kanganja disclosed that standby forces have been put in place to withstand any situation after the constitution court’s ruling regarding the presidential petition.
Since the opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and his running mate Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba challenged the declaration of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu as a winner of the 11th August, 2016 polls, the community now lives in anxiety.
Some individuals have since anticipated that there will be violence in the country after the constitutional court’s ruling.
Calls on Zambia Police Service have been made by some interested stakeholders to seriously prepare and put stringent measures in maintaining law and order in the country whether the ruling will be in favour or against the ruling party.
Within a stipulated period not exceeding 14 days the Constitutional Court has to make a ruling that will be deemed final regarding the UPND petition.
Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has urged Zambians to continue praying for peace and unity in the aftermath of the August 11 elections.
Speaking at St Ignatius Catholic church where he attended Mass this morning, President Lungu emphasised the need for upholding peace in the nation.
The President said he is disturbed with reports that government offices in Lukulu district of Western province have been burnt by suspected UPND cadres.
President Lungu says he thought threats of Armageddon by the UPND were mere political rhetoric but is saddened that it is now proving to be reality through acts of violence the party is perpetuating in some parts of the country.
The Head of State says he will endeavour to maintain peace and unity in the country.
And speaking during Mass, St Ignatius priest Father Charles Chilinda said the church is disturbed with the growing trend of regional voting that characterized the polls.
He said all people are equal in the sight of God.
Fr. Chilinda says what distinguishes good leaders from the bad ones is humility.
And a prayer was offered to dedicate President Lungu following his election victory.
In his prayer, Fr Chilinda prayed that God empowers President Lungu with strength to embrace every Zambian.
Our chuunduisn has crashed landed with zero survivors. The wreckage to be taken over by cartel under distress. 60 days of mourning announced with Nevers the Chief mourner crying louder than cartel.
Chiunduism Mawee ulabeja mwanangu.
IT IS WRONG FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TO BE ON THE SIDE OF ILLEGALITY. AS WE ARE TODAY LUNGU IS NOT PRESIDENT ACCORDING TO THE CONSTITUTION WHICH LUNGU HIMSELF SIGNED. TO PRAY FOR LUNGU AS THE WINNER OF THE ELECTIONS IS TOTALLY WRONG. THERE’S A VALID PETITION BEFORE COURT AND THE CONSTITUTION STIPULATES THAT THE SPEAKER TAKES OVER. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS PROMOTING ILLEGALITY. STOP IT PLEASE.
I AM CATHOLIC BUT I DON’T SUPPORT THE IRRESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ZAMBIA. WE DON’T WANT WHAT HAPPENED IN RWANDA, D.R. CONGO AND ZIMBABWE TO HAPPEN HERE. THE CHURCH SHOULDN’T BE SEEN TO INFLUENCE THE DECISION OF THE COURT THROUGH IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENTS BY PRIESTS. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS NOTORIOUS FOR INFLUENCING POLITICAL CHAOS. JUST LOOK AT THE PREDOMINANTLY CATHOLIC COUNTRIES: RWANDA, D.R. CONGO, ANGOLA, C.A. REPUBLIC, TCHAD, MUGABE’S ZIMBABWE.
Post elections the president must show leadership. Unfortunately some of the misinterpreted statements comming from cardres such as Tutwa, Sunday and others doesn’t show that. If you arm cadres with machetes and guns where do you think they will use them?
This habit of labelling other tribes this and that must stop! Most of Sata’s MP’s were from the north and luapula and his initial cabinet and other top posts were northenised. Lets be an all enclusive nation snd stop the nonsense.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT LUNGU IS, SINCE FRIDAY WHEN THE PETITION WAS FILED, UNCONSTITUTIONALLY IN OFFICE WHETHER THE CATHOLIC CHURCH LIKES IT OR NOT. ARTICLE 104 (3) IS VERY CLEAR. WE KNOW THE CHURCH IS ON THE SIDE OF LUNGU FOR UNKNOWN REASONS BUT THEIR SUPPORT FOR HIM IS NOT ABOVE THE CONSTITUTION. THEIR SUPPORT FOR LUNGU SHOULDN’T BE THE BASIS FOR COMPROMISING THE CONSTITUTION. GOD IS SEEING YOU AND HE WILL NOT ALLOW IT.
Although we have professionals in ZP, there is no longer professionalism in the force. ZP has been compromised,
Its about time. Either way the decision will go it wont go well with some elements
As for father Chilinda, he is dividing the worshipers because part of the flock could be from opposition parties. The church should be non partisan. I would therefore urgently urge senior catholic bishops to transfer father chilinda to maybe a mission school because he is a let down to Kabwata parish members as well as the Catholic Church as a whole to which I belong.
God bless Zambia
This is HDH’s doing. He wants to bring civil war in Zambia so that he can have a real story to write to the UN about. It’s going to be dununa 2.0!
The country is being held at ransom by the ravings of a paranoid schizophrenic who thinks he is President by virtue of being Tonga. Chainama hospital prescribe Lithium bwangu! UNDP is a cult and all cults are led by mad men
Tongas wants to sabotage the country because we rejected their ka HH
On the contrary }1.8, it’s the opposite. Could be your earthly worshipper who might be denented.
On the contrary coment 1.8, it’s the opposite. Could be your ECL who might be denented.
Threatening, opponents is what will destroy this country. Why is someone speaking as though he knows the outcome, and he will be the one to put the pieces together. PF show good leadership in order to save this nation, why should the bias voting of Muchinga be glorified over the other? Both sides are wrong in polarizing this nation to a point of breaking unless corrective and decisive measures are put in place by who ever takes the victory. And PF the route of the rhetoric so far show resentment of some people and that will not end well at all.
Yes Edgar needs prayers, he should have hold a prayer rally instead of now useless ThankSgiving rally. went to thank PF, and forgot God. Jesus is not a PF member.
Ba Chilinda, you have seriously erred here. Your gatecrashing congregant lungu is not yet victorious and will only be if the court rules in his favour
Do not influence the courts decision and behave like a cadre
Why changing churches every Sunday?
Thou shall not steal, stealing has brought a lot of problems. God is in control, repent b4 it is too late otherwise you won’t enjoy.
THE PRAYERS FOR LUNGU TO ILLEGALLY CONTINUE IN OFFICE ARE NOT REACHING GOD’S EARS. THOSE ARE WASTED PRAYERS. IT’S LIKE PRAYING FOR BARRABAS. LUNGU IS CORRUPT, A THIEF AND A MURDERER. ALL THOSE WHO ARE SUPPORTING HIM AND PROTECTING ARE SHARING IN HIS WRONG DOINGS.
NO ONE CAN HIDE THE TRUTH AND BE FREE IN MIND AND SORE. WHOVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ZAMBIAS POLICAL DISTURBANCE SHOULD PAY FOR IT. IT MAY TAKE MANY DAYS OR YEARS BUT I HAVE THE HOPE OF MARTIN RUTHAR KING’S JR “DREAM”. THE SECRETE IS BEHIND LOVING ONE ANOTHER. GUARD OUR CONTRY’S PEACE AS YOU GARD YOURSELVES.
ECZ should be jailed.
ECZ are the main witness.
Deemed final….the writing is on the wall…Someone is about to retire….clean game….no malilisho
Edgar Lungu 5 more years
I thank you
Did you UPND and The chief loser hear that from the police chief? Mwanya muzalila muzalema
IT MAY TAKE MANY DAYS OR YEARS BUT I HAVE THE HOPE OF MARTIN RUTHAR KING’S JR “ I HAVE DREAM”. THE SECRETE BEHIND IS LOVING ONE ANOTHER NOT RETIRING ONE. GUARD OUR CONTRY’S PEACE AS YOU GARD YOURSELVES. IF YOU’RE A TRUE GREEN RESITE LATE SATA’S FAVURITE SONG “MUTEMWANE MWEBANA BANDI”
Now you have become a catholic, huh! Show leadership and follow the laws of the land. Embrace all Zambians and please let professionals interpret the law to you. As for Kanganja and company, I have no confidence in your policing because you apply the law selectively. Be professional and you will earn respect.
Fr Chilinda is one on the Christians for Lungu.
How can the country expect the masses to respect and obey our laws when Lungu himself is breaking the law? As soon as UPND successfully filed its Petition with Concourt against the re-election of Lungu as President Elect, Lungu ceased to be President of Zambia. Lungu should step down and let the Speaker of Parliament be sworn in as Acting President while Concourt is disposing off the Petetion. Lungu has no respect for the Rule of Law and the Zambian Constitution so he should be disqualified to occupy the office of the President. Lungu is in breach of the law so what is Concourt and the Attorney General doing about this lawless Lungu? Is Lungu above the Law? Lungu has got to be stopped in his tracks. He has no respect for Concourt in this case.
Cite the Constitution, not what you think like that hopeless Pastor Mumba. Does it not surprise you that non of you is commenting on the burning down of a Govt. building?
I think the police will be compromised use soldiers in the province especially where there are UPND because they will lose the cases
Catholic in Zambia is full of scandalous gang whose interest is deep routed in regional politics.
We ALL know that these stu.pid threats from a discredited Police IG are solely DIRECTED at UPND supporters! This mother fuc.ker has stooped so low and has become a PF Party Cadre! ID.IOT!
Upnd is fighting a losing battle!!concourt cannot rule against the 2016 winner ecl!!!moreover even on security reasons pf will be pro
Fr. Chilinda being educated as you are, for sure you are aware about the role of the Catholic church and the media in pre-genocide Rwanda. Christ never took sides in politics but stood for righteousness. In fact he told off politicians -called King Harold a fox and defied his threats on his life. Timing of statements is very important in life.
@Neon – you yourself as educated as you are surely how do you believe the fiction in the Bible and religion its self?
No insults please just accept defeat ECL for President silence is golden. This shouting by our UPND friends is putting everyone off.
Mpundu you are not everyone, speak for self. What PF must consider serious is that over 1.7million do not agree with you are all, and your have 1.8million who agree with you poor vision of running down this country’s economy and it social structures by promoting insult people who do not agree with you. Therefore, show respect and restraint in your PF self motivated comments.
“In his prayer, Fr Chilinda prayed that God empowers President Lungu with strength to embrace every Zambian.”
When are Africans going to wake up …the utterances above by this silly Father says it all…how does that promote peace when you are there saying God has empowered Lazy Lungu above all; this is the selfsame church that supported slavery and turned a blind eye to Hitler’s genocide. Religion is self distractive system with no place in our African culture.
Wake up from this folly…leave these corrupt churches and study about self!!
@Jay Jay? You are doomed together with you under 5 Leader, mind you, the petition is going nowhere as this is a known fact by every well meaning Zambian including senior UPND officials who have taken a mute stance on the petition for they know that it is HH and GBMs issue for they’re are owing a lot after spending so much in hopes of paying back with government resources once in power. Don’t you wonder the useless confidence they had way before campaigns started? They behaved as though they’ve already won, busy issuing statements, threatening violence should they not win, and true to their words, violence is on in their so called strong holds.
So don’t expose your ignorance on social media like this, every coin has two sides, you think Zambia is in southern province, western…
The Seb – You are barking on the wrong tree; I have no time for tribal debates or being sided with opposition leaders you have mentioned…my interest is with the Zambian people and the constitution. I suggest you find a cadre of your caliber to spew that tribal drivel to…
Some people have been casting so many insults.
But it must be noted that casting insults is not democratic.
But casting votes is democratic and that is what makes a candidate win.
ECZ only counts ballots not insults.
Fr.Chilinda that is our Catholic church you are selling to Satan respect its members congratulate on your personal level like father Bwalya the process is not complete you are jumping the gun what is the hurry
Was it your Catholic Church when it was profiting from selling your ancestors as slaves??
Stupid,you have failed to protect us against the pangarian family who are still terrorising our community.
It is clear that some people may suffer serious heart-breaks.
The zeal with which insults are coming out of some people shows they are completely enrossed with so much passion and hope.
But look, the majority will carry the day.
I pray for the strength of everyone after the verdict .
This PF cader kaponya policeman is seriouly compromised.
How many times have you harrassed the opposition with trumped up charges?
Right now we have PF youth thugs threatening the IG to step down or his life is in danger , have you said anything ?
It is the AG who is being threatened to step down or his life is in danger.
Am catholic and we know that fr. Chilinda is PF, it is not by chance that Edgar is associating with chilinda, he is their member.
Iam catholic but what some catholic priests like father Charles Chilinda to be parading the president in church. Too sad what some priests are doing.
Only people who are not educated and those who learn to write and ready on the street can use insults on this page. i really wonder why insults instead of expressing your self in a normal way is very much used by PF followers. Does it mean all these PF believers who are commenting online are street venders. I say street venders because those are the people who does not watch their languages when discussing matters. If you want to go through all the comments written in different newspaper online, then you will find hundreds and hundreds insults written by PF believers. It just shows a shameful discussion to the people of zambia. I am a zambian leaving abroad. Just to ready insults is not funny. Be mature and write sensible words than insults.
I thought police were supposed to protect the citizens of the country and be neutral in what ever matters that arises when it comes to the situation like we have now. In my country zambia i can describe the situation right now, so as the police are employed by the president and are biased to the ruling party. Right now the police service does not see that PF supporters are also involved in making troubles. That PF supporters are the nuisance in beating people and even killing people without a reason. Police services work heavily on UPND supporters to make sure anyone who breaks the law is in for it. Why not tackling both sides? When are we going to develop? is this how Zambia is going to be handled? Is this democracy? Is this how Lungu want to rule Zambia? Then ask yourself if it was…
Uno mweka mwafikwako ba mwansakabinga munasheko ukwiba ama votes .Techalo chenu mweka chabonse na Lesa wabonse. Mwasebana Ati Efyonchinta lyonse.
Let the court rule in favour of PF and end the 52 yrs of Bemba tribalism as NW, SP, Central and western including parts of CB will form a new state. Bembas will continue dominating useless *****s from east as they form a hunger stricken state marred by total blackout as there are no power stations. Most of you will prefer living in somali to fish and monkey depleted state kkkkkk
Mwine I see you are a tribalist in using a Bemba name or word to hide your true colour!!! Shame on you . Bye the way I love your tribe and always love you to have given my late Fathers first grand child by the name given to her as Sibajene.
This IG has no credibility. How can anyone trust you when you allowed violations of the law by cadres and politicians in power? Such lack of professionalism’s the reason you guys end up losing jobs with change in government. The fact’s that appointing people like this man into such an important job demeans the IG post. I know that the Police’s full of ill educated people but it beggars belief to have a man with no self respect and an understanding of the role of the Police to be appointed IG. Anarchy’s reigning in the country partly because of the breakdown in policing. It is time we had people appointed to such important jobs through properly constituted Police Commission.
We know that the cartel wants to take over.there will be cival war in Zambia if the court nulifies the elections.Those judges will be in trouble.Some UPND were saying we have a Tonga Chibomba,Sitali and Mulemba as our Judges.They know that Chibomba wants HH to be a president.They are determined to put the country on fire in order to send HH in state house by all powers.UPND has 4 Judges in constitution court.(Chibomba(Tonga),Sitali(Lozi),Mulembe(Northwestern),Mulonda(central-Kaseba’s relative).Cartel is now celebrating.Watch the space before Zambia goes on fire.Already Tongas are beating bemba and sengas in Namwala and other parts of the country.The will of the pipo should prevail.We want peace and not tribalist to take over Zambia by force.We warn the constitution to be very careful…
@Mwine you are a f0ol!! Dont you think it is your province which will suffer serious famine because it is a drought prone area?We have ambundant rainfall year in and year out in the north and we dont beg for relief food from govt as you always do in the south, so grow up and stop your stup1d tribalism.
Well done Mr. IG.It is indeed your duty to maintain law and order. You people who appointed the constitutional court judges? Isn’t it Edgar Lungu? So why has the issue of tribe come in,in the composition of the constitutional court? Those Judges who sit on the constitutional court were appointed on merit, period.
KANGANJA IS LYING! WHY DOES THE POLICE ONLY WORK AGAINST OPPOSITION BUT LEAVES PF THUGS TO DO AS THEY PLEASE? YOU ARE COWARD IG. YOU LET PF COMMIT VIOLENCE IN THE NAME OF UPND AND WINK EYES!
Sonta epowabomba Reloaded.
It is not a surprise that Lungu who controls the State security is not aware that the Government building in Lukulu was burnt by a suspect who wanted to destroy evidence and not UPND supporters.
Shame on you for telling lies in the house of God. This guy is clueless for sure.
Mary Hazimba or whoever you are, the hood of UPND cadres who burnt down the government building were simply riotous and there was nothing to hide in a government administration block. Majority of people who work in the same building are from the same Lukulu district.
I am here for forensic work and most of the people who have been identified are simply UPND cadres.
One wonders how criticizing these UNPD cadres can be about ECL and the law, but is what is happening
In Southern ok and HH is a saint who cannot be condemned, seriously are you guys normal or what? Is it power that you want that you are happy with all these? Do you even go to church to allow burning of people’s homes, Government buildings? Who is HH going to lead and which country is he going to rule if this country goes to war? So all of you don’t mind as long as HH comes into power by any means even killing. Since they have decided to burn the Agric. Office let them go to the next or nearest offices for whatever business they will need to do concerning Agric. Don’t forget Min of Agric. Deals with fertilizer we will see what will happen when you wake up keep dreaming.
Democracy is Democracy not Insults ,name calling, but love and peace Authough we differ in principle we are one .Let love lead wheather you are PF or UPND we are one . one jesus ,one holy spirit ,one God,and one Zambia. let us unit zambian. we all come and go but Zambia shall remain . This is my prayer for mother zambia.
WITH 40 MPS CAN HH BE PRESIDENT ON WHAT GROUDS.WHAT A SHALLOW GOVT WILL BE.HH CANT BE PRESIDENT JUST TOO RAW.JUST ACCEPT ECL WON.ECL BE CAREFUL WITH THE PIPO YOU MAY WORK WITH.PIPO WERE SAYING THAT A RE-RUN WILL OCCUR,BUT LOOK ECL HAMMERED HH IN ROUND ONE….
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS IN THESE ELECTIONS
Are a divine purpose for Zambia to reach the golden goal. You have eyes but you can not see. The Victors shall greatly rejoice even though they are being distressed temporarily by these trials. Patience is the key .The Lord of Hosts says do not react to the temptations. Let your behavior towards these provocations be a sanctification of your hard won victory. For this fight , is one between light and darkness over a nation. Your greatest weapon is Prayer. Beware of Wolves in sheep’s skin. You have seen him on his knees seeking Gods guidance and counsel in one of the darkest moments of his life. With the instruments of power bestowed with him he still has his allegiance is with God.
You choose to forget that Sata went to same church just after winning. Same rhetoric, different outcome. Mismanagement that leads the country to more strife is Gods wish on he’s people right?
Sometimes I wonder whether this hate and foolishness is genetic in some tongas, we have to be sober when analyzing things look at this the President is from Eastern province whilst the Vice is from Western province but why insult the bembas.
Ignorance is no defense. Article 104 makes it very clear that the speaker only takes in-charge immediately when the court nullifies the elections. As it is, the elections results have not been nullified yet, which leaves lungu legally occupant of the office of the president. Go back to school……………………………..
You know which party has hooligans! You also know which party is tribal! Please arrest them!
@Jay Jay, your tribal party lost the elections! I didn’t know you are the Shaka party of Zambia!
@ Jay Jay. There is nothing tribal about this debate, and I am not a cadre, but a Zambian with the right to express myself, and I also have a right to choose my side.
Two things that made me react to your statement the way I did; you call a Priest ‘silly’ and you call Edgar Lungu ‘lazy’. surely you are doomed.
I don’t know where you come from but you need to cleansing, you’re the same people advocating for chaos in the land, just those two statements says it all, you’re a visionles cadre of the desperate for power UPND.
I urge you to go back to the drawing board together with your under 5 politicians in the UPND.
As things stand ECL is The President Elect. Of the Republic of Zambia.
HH has been rejected in the first round.
‘ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION…
Seb, you comments were almost there, until you decided to demean a person with over 1.7m, as per ECZ reporting under 5, it is this level of debate which brings ou to the same level of Jay Jay. Both of you are a danger to our society. Speak freely on the issues, but to not make a hobby out of insulting or demeaning others. Yes, people’s tempers are high right now for good or wrong reasons. We all must realize that our core responsibility is to leave a better Zambia for our children than we have now, were corruption is a norm. Please bloggers observe and mind your comments, LT serve your purpose of moderating even blocking some bloggers.
@zedpoorpeople. Thanks for expressing your concern.
You see it is democracy, and we know what it comes with, divergent views from every angle, very expensive as well.
But if you have followed the build up to the polls very well, you’ll notice that the UPND camp has been bitter from the word go. In their strong holds, PF supporters have had no chance to breath, they can’t openly state which party they support, on the other side, The PF strong holds, both UPND and PF supporters have been able to express their support freely, they get along and understand each other’s views, they understand what it means to be democratic.
Hence the outcome of the results, am sure you’ve seen the voting pattern.
And the aftermath, sad to note, the reaction from the UPND camp is worrying. They…
THAT IS THE COWARDICE OF OUR POLICE AND IG ESPECIALLY! WHY WAIT FOR AFTER CONCOURT DECISION WHEN THE PF IS ALREADY INTIMIDATING THE COURT AND OTHERS WHILE DESTROYING UOND’S PROPERTY! IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE MR KANGANJA