President Edgar Lungu says he will now take unprecedented measures and steps to stop the acts of hooliganism being perpetrated.
Speaking upon arrival from Addis Ababa the head of state who expressed displeasure at today’s acts of sabotage revealed that security offices would now up their game and take necessary measures to curb the acts of hooliganism because people’s livelihoods are being affected.
“I do not want to pre-empt the measures we have put in place to up the game and we have done that. But I will wait to be briefed…,” President Lungu said.
“If it means taking measures which are unprecedented we will do just that, some people will have to lose their rights. People who have lost their property have lost their livlihoods. So if I become a dictator for once bear with me.”
The head of state then proceeded to City Market to go and see the extent of damage as well as meet some affected traders.
The President who was in the company of security and defence officers, minister of home affairs Stephen Kampyongo and his presidential aides Amos Chanda and Kaizer Zulu.
The head of state was greeted by hundreds of traders as they all cried out to him to bring the perpetrators to book.
At the market, President Lungu assured city market traders who lost their property in an inferno that government will look into their plight and compensate their loss.
The head of state who made an impromptu visit to City Market that has been engulfed in flames after a suspected arson attack this morning assured the traders of governments support to try restore their livelihoods.
“We will see how we can look into the plight of the people and compensate their loss,” President Lungu said as he made the back of a truck his podium in order to address and give comfort and solace to the hundreds traders who have lost merchandise in the inferno.
He additionally urged people and his supporters not to take the law in their hands noting that government was on top of things.
“Please do not take the law in your hands, ubuteko nabukwata amaka,” said President.
More than one third of city market has been gutted after suspected arsonists torched the building.
The market went up in flames shortly after another market in Misisi also got torched.
And Zambia Police have issued the following statement increasing the reward to half a million kwacha to anybody with information about the people behind the spake of fires.
THE REWARD HAS NOW INCREASED TO K 500, 000
THE ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE HAS INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF REWARD TO ANY PERSON OR PERSONS THAT WILL GIVE INFORMATION TO POLICE THAT WILL LEAD TO THE APPREHENSION AND SUCCESSIFUL PROSECUTION OF CRIMINALS BEHIND THE TORCHING OF ZESCO PYLONS INCLUDING OTHER SPATE OF FIRES THAT HAVE ROCKED THE COUNTRY FROM K300, 000 TO K500, 000 KWACHA.
ANY PERSON OR PERSONS WITH INFORMATION SHOULD REPORT TO ANY NEAREST POLICE STATION. FURTHERMORE, A CONTACT NUMBER WILL BE GIVEN TOMORROW WHICH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE CALLING IN THIS REGARD.
ESTHER MWAATA KATONGO
ZAMBIA POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
ISSUED ON 04TH JULY, 2017
Museveni strongman software loading…. Mugabe dictator software downloading …Bwana Lungu copy and paste autocracy loading …please bear with us.
Sir, you cannot be a Dictator unless you repudiate the Constitution. If you can’t do that, then you have to be impeached.
You are surrounded by Kaiser, Kapyongo, Kamba and you go to discuss peace? Dark team. No one will touch the reward from dirty means.
Where is Yaluma, Emeline Kabanshi, Chitalu Chilufya, Nawakwi… Peace makers.
If I become a Dictator he says; My Man you are one already. “Some people will have to lose their rights”. He assumes he is the supreme leader of the land to whom every citizen owes their basic freedoms.
Mr President, my advice is that you continue seeking God’s face as you do every day. God has been guiding you. Continue allowing His wisdom to precede & influence each decision you make. You are governing a nation that’s called by God’s name, a Christian Nation. These acts are designed to side track you from the course God has chosen for you. Shame the devil by dealing with them as God reveals to you. Many millions of us Zambians are praying for you because we know that the devil wants to neutralise the plan that God has for & through Zambia. May the Kingdom of God come & the Will of God be done on earth as it is Heaven. God Bless Zambia!
Please release that number and I will paste those what’s up upnd group discussion. At least I know spakalinyo nez and jayjay will be behind bars. Whether you live overseas or not this time we will spend just to get you fixed.
Prevention is better than cure.
We have a President who surrounds himself with two-bit petty crooks..surely what advise would you get from the likes of Stephen Kampyongo and Kaizer Zulu..really laughable…these are utterly useless individuals!!
HH oval head
Your mother and father will be behind bars before me…..
Any way it seems disgruntled PF foot soldiers who were guarding the market are turning on lungu…..
No! no! no! no! no! no! no! No one will bear with you. You don’t own Zambia. The police are the ones to deal with crime, including the crimes you’re committing yourself. It’s a matter of time before the PF (Police Force) turn against you.
Thanks for confirming. But we have known you are one par With Kim Jon . There is a lot behind that mask on your face. At least am not committing treason with my comment as I replicate your words. You’re a shame Mr president.
Thanks
ZICTA please trace Nostradamus and you will help the police find who the arsonists are. Nostradamus seems to know a lot.
He really sounds like a DICTATOR!! Mr President, let the investigators finish their work before you make such utterances. We know that an opportunity has just thrown itself for your true colours to be visible to everyone. We have laws that govern us. Let the rule of law, the one you claim to uphold, take its course.
Let security wings do their work without your interference. Im even beginning to think that PF is partly involved in these terror acts.
My dream is about to come out true.HH will be taken back to Mukobeko and some people will be arrested and brutally beaten and thrown in Jail,shortly after a state of emergency will be called and in a twinkling of an eye Lungu will be normal and HH will be restored as a leader and peace will prevail watch these coming weeks.
Some of us know or knew that Lungu and his minions could even be behind all the foolish acts in order to find a pretense to effect the state of emergency and consolidate as well as prolong their illegal imposition on the poor ignorant Zambians who seem to side with them.
The problem is even before any solid investigations are started, there is already political suspicions playing itself out starting with the president.
Please, let the police conduct a thorough investigation, and stop the finger pointing. YOU ARE WRONG until the CULPRIT is brought to court and convicted. Suspects could be anyone else, we don’t know. Could be someone from UPND to support the release of their leader, it could be someone from PF, not happy with government decision to build $20m dollar statehouse…the list goes on.. but it’s not helpful, that is the reason police, without being politically biased, should get to the roots of this.
DO YOU PEOPLE STILL THINK THERE IS NO TENSION IN ZAMBIA? The President should re-think his statement.
If Zambia Police and The Lusaka Fire Brigade cannot institute a thorough investigation then they should outsource the task to Scotland Yard and the London Fire Brigade to do a forensic examination and thorough investigation. They have very powerful tools and can even mobilize GoogleMaps to help get live pictures from the satellite trained at Southern African countries. It will cost an arm and a leg but the truth will be out.
We understand you Sir, under these trying times with the opposition and external forces trying to make Zambia ungovernable.
This is an inevitable decision. We are behind you.
Edgar has no balls to be a dictator, he is like that defender Hichani Himonde, bola nga yakosa he start roughs. Even tackling own keeper… And you PF call him “The undertaker”. Likula fye…
I can only imagine your young age and do sympathise with you as you do not know what you are talking abt. If u ve lived long enough and know what state-of-emergency powers can do, u would not say that. Let’s help the President rescind what he says has planned already as he asks for forgiveness in advance. It can only be bad!
…and this will only affect the opposition, be realistic friends!
Those who stole from the poor miners using privatization kickbacks have a short memory.
They are behind bars because the graves of the miners are still breathing.
Now they want to try the souls of the poor marketeers.
@Kudos, who is going to fix city market tomorrow at a cost of the famous $20 million, is it AVIC? Can they do both questionable flats, and restoring businesses of citizens?
When lungus white peace dove refused to fly at his fake inoguration where he was being sworn in by a clerk , you kaponyas took it lightly ???
Theives pay a price.
Even the marketeers know UPND have nothing to do with this when hungry disgruntled PF thugs were opening the market at 5 am.
Zambians have a tendency to make rumours as truth.Which mines did he specifically steal from?No specifics. We hate entrepreneurs,all entrepreneurs are thieves,we pray for prosperity, when it comes then its stealing, some wealth is simply hard work and intelligence, some steal but not all wealthy people steal.
Spaka like lili and Nostradamus, you are both i.d.i.o.t.s. How many times should Zambians tell you that we don’t want HH as president? Now you are burning government installations to try and intimidate us.The law will catch up with you both and you will be hung by the balls.
Shu shu shu
We also don’t want lungu. He stole the elections that is why he is avoiding the petition.
You cant catch up with anyone ,all you think of is stealing 24\4 you son of abit.ch.
Shu shu shu
We also don’t want lungu. He stole the elections that is why he is avoiding the petition.
You cant catch up with anyone ,all you think of is stealing 24\4 you son of abit.ch.
The Office of the President and police must work hand in hand to ensure that these culprits are brought to book. When the president has been soft and tolerant many have taken him for a ride and continue to insult him. If you let matters like these run out of control you can destroy the country. It is time we locked up Namwala hooligans and all those who started fires before. Hazaluza Henka thinks it is funny!
Mr lungu,objective pipo frm within zambia and outside hv told u already many times in the recent past that u a dictator.u refused.and today u say u wanna b a dictator. I hope u hv seen now the trouble that stealing votes brings.i pity u my brother.
Which votes did lungu steal. HH is not presidential material and soon he will be sentenced to death.
@Lombe Hebelele, just shut up!
Lusaka times why trying to block me. Wishing lungu dead should be the same as wishing any other man dead. What makes lungu a chap we pay with our hard earning money special? Anyway I wish lungu long lasting life (opposite of that ) u crazy dogs
just go to watchdog baba , civilized people comment here.
@ #7.1
When did you become civilized? Having wet dreams again?
We will support you Mr. President! Let the leader of hooligans dance too!
hooligans were with Edgar on inspection
– how many scandals Kaiser has being through
– Kapyongo was throwing stones at helicopters
– Is that Kamba in picture?
If Edgar had gone with Yaluma, Emeline Kabanshi, Chilufya and Nawakwi, Zambians can respect him.
No one will take that K500 millions from soiled hands.
This night all who call themselves real Christians should be on their knees in prayer for Zambia. The darkness that was prophesied will swallow this country if we don’t cry before Jehova to intervene
I am best blogger for a reason. You can’t block me. Muzayesa muzalema. I have control over this silly website. I can even code a disruptive virus to end this site all together do not force me to unleash wrath lusalatimes. Is it my fault that Zambia is on fire. You are removing your temper on me Kiki
Lungu Shud Let The Police And Judiciary Do Their Job Professionaly.
Does he know what has caused the fire? What report has he received on what caused fire outbreak? Your bad ending is coming?
Mr. President, we will support whatever action you will take….we can’t accept this to be happening in our country. People should not take your meekness for granted. We voted for you and we are fully behind you.
Don’t mistake hypocrisy for meekness!
surely how can a normal human being do this,especially to poor marketeers ,God review this pipo to the police punishment is there destination
There are no culprits here. Its a Set Up to create an excuse for declaring a State of Emergency to imprison HH at Mukobeko and poison him and arrest all Lungu’s perceived enemies and opponents. Lungu is now entrenching his Dictatorship as planned. A State of Emergency is as good as saying goodbye to IMF Money,Donor Aid and Western Financial Assistance and Investments.
To you HH is more important than thousands of people who will suffer because of fires and sabotage?
Lungu is a stu-pid president presiding over a stu-pid people.
I agree. Our leaders are as good/ bad as we are, and we deservevthem
Cadres for once use your god given brains, where in the world have you seen people living in peace under a dictatorship. You think we enjoyed all those years under a state of emergency with Kaunda? Please grow up!!!! Just find means of dialoguing with your enemies instead of using threats and more threats. You think the chap who set that fire cares about being threatened with arrest? He or she already knows because he or she is a criminal.
Businesses should be forced to take up insurance just like motor vehicles. This will ensure business continuity and encourage the use of deterrents such as CCTV. It’s also about time the government looked into recruiting expatriates to bring our policing to the 21st century. I sincerely hoped this market was insured so that it can be rebuilt as soon as possible.
Zambia fought for Multiparty democracy. Now people have even the freedom and audacity of expressing their views politically even before the cause of fire has been fully investigated. Back in the days when there were food riots in the 1980s under UNIP I remember how the police behaved, brutal. So please bane tekeni bola panshi and let the relevant authorities do their jobs. Fires break out, even in developed countries. Buildings, including the ones on construction catch fire. It is part of Life. And citizens lose property, include life in an unfortunate scenarios. A I always say, I am apolitical.
In fact an independent enquiry would make the finding credible, rather than a cadre lead investigation which seems to have made conclusions even before the fire broke out.
Zambia is in reverse as they had promised. No surprise here.
Will Lungu suspend the Zambian Constitution or the entire Bill of Rights? So Lungu will now proceed to arrest without Trial more UPND Supporters, Opponents,Chiefs, Church Leaders, Political Leaders and any Zambian opposed to Lungu’s Rule. A State of Emergency affects everybody and the Economy negatively. All external Lenders,Aid Donors, Investors etc will stay away from Zambia amd consequently collapse the Zambian Economy.
First of all, proper investigations have to be made (if they are possible in Zambia) to determine the cause of the fire and whether it was arson. Then through evidence, find the perpetrator(s). It is sad that people have lost their livelihoods but this is not the time for knee jerk populist reactions. Making threats about “some people losing their rights is uncalled for”. There must be due process followed. People always have rights – they may not be able to exercise or enjoy them when incarcerated but you should never give the impression that the said rights come from you. They don’t. That is one measure of dictatorships – implying that they can take away the rights they have “given you”. The rights exist before the dictators.
The Zambian police can’t work unless they are dictated to. They don’t knowcwhat is their job. Protecting PF or Zambians? Ba Pulezidenti tiuzeni
The only thing necessary for tyrannical rule to take hold is for good and just men to do nothing – Edmund Burke.
Zambia seems to reach a new low every three months. We are degenerating into fragility. I’m not sure if the PF and its leaders have the maturity to provide strong leadership under such trying circumstances.
Whether this was arson or not, the fact is that the country is more tense now that it was before this event. The issue is to reconcile and unify the country. Those that hold on to power must be willing to be more inclusive and to dialogue. Unfortunately , this quality is not there in PF.
Lungu is crazy, a megalomaniac, and unsuitable for the presidency. He has failed to live up to the law, and he has such a poor mentality that he is the greatest danger to the Republic of Zambia by his stupid deeds in order to protect his ill-gotten wealth. Bwana Lungu, do not start stocking fires that will burn you.
Its a shame those pf goons are forever going round stands in the just gutted market collecting moneys daily, building houses and the powers that be allow such nonsense at the expense of instituting a proper mechanism to oversee that the market is of a high standard of cause not forgeting insuring the structure in cases of such damage.The PF know its their money spiner thats why every conclusion without an investigation is pointed at the opposition.
Only a foool would trust today’s Zambian politicians as they have zero integrity zero wisdom both in opposition and in govt as everyone of them has a motive. The Police is equally useless…the next generation of leaders will have a big job of their hands to clean up the dirt these greedy empty tins are leaving us.
I’m just wondering why upnd cadres here are so happy with what has happened to our brothers and sisters at Soweto market….
The likes of Nez and Nostradamus seem to be celebrating but just know that every dog has it’s day.
Where is spaka like lilo…the graffiti man anyway time will tell!
We are here. Watching the kneejerk reactions of the kaponyas.
We all know it is PF starting fires so lungu decleares a state of emergency.
Remember even his peace white dove refused to fly at his fake inoguration…..
Mr. President, try to be Zambian, at least. Where are you getting all these non-Zambian ideas? It is sad to see those who are in your camp, those whose policies you are emulating. You are leaving Zambia, you have left us behind.
If only you could learn a lesson from South Sudan or Congo DRC. Otherwise be the dictator you want to be. You are already one, despicably so.
Sad news from Dictator Lungu. I read today where he was telling his minister that Chief Mukuni is bewitching him and he is now avoiding sleeping at statehouse on some days because he is tormented and sometimea he speaks to himself. I thought I was reading some other news but it was himself telling his statehouse minster. It is sad what is happening back home and will be praying for our nation. You may be blaming people but if you claim to be a christian nation then you should also expect God’s judgement when you sin deliberately. Calling a nation christian does not exempt it from punishment when we abuse the powers God has given the leaders. Sad indeed. I have never known Zambia to be like that, however, it is foolishness to allow cadres to rule the country and give them powers to do…
Ati we will support you Mr.President, fyoto fyoto. This b0z0 of a President is taking Zambians for f00ls. He orchestrated such acts duping the docile followers. Now he can declare the State of Emergency. Lungu na Zambia twabwelapofye!!
Remember even lungus white peace dove refused to fly at his fake inoguration where he was sworn in by a clerk……when you force yourself onto a nation like lungu, things seem to stack up against you.
It was a bad omen.
Very unfortunate statement and very unpresidential. Lungu this is the job of the police and the police should be the ones giving any statements. Even before the fire the economic situation for most Zambian is tough. Your focus should be building – that means unity, jobs for all, Justice for all among other things. PF carders have always been the violent ones with such type of behaviour mainly because lawlessness is their virtue and this might be one of them.
Lungu is the commander in Chief of the armed forces and he has to give a statement on such happenings. He is in charge. Everywhere in the world the head of state is expected to give a statement when such happens.
Zambia is drifting rather too speedily into the bottomless pit.
No one is celebrating this……people will suffer in an already tough economy.
We all know most buildings in Zambia are fire harrards. Let the police investigate and you will see this was an accident waiting to happen.
But if lungu and the kaponyas want to use this unfortunate incident to prcecute innocent people so be it……
For your information Tanzania next door suffered a spate of fires to public buildings about 8 years ago until they mandated by law every building to have fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. By law. A programme drawn up by my good friend then commissioner of fire Mr piues nyambacha.
That is what Zambia needs instead of blaming witchcraft or UPND…
I was at Tunduma when the market went up in flames.Zambian Fire Brigade went to assist put out the fire.
Many people are emotional and are failing to raise the issues you’ve put forward.
Truth seeker
Zambia needs a comprehensive fire prevention policy with a well qualified commissioner of fire, not a PF stone thrower , Zambia needs to pass a law mandating all buildings yo have fire extinguishers and $10 battery operated smoke alarms by law.
Fire prevention sanitazation programmes by GRZ should be carried out across the country on dead ZNBC instead of parroting lungus name 24/7.
You will see costly fires like this reduce by 95 % just like in tanzania.
Here you have it what we have told you , what the mother churches have told us. Lungu is a dictator. To me me it looks like it was an inside PF job to blame it on UPND so that Lungu who has lost popularity among many PF cadres can have some sympathy and declare a state of emergency. Where were the police? Is this market not guarded by PF? And ignorant PF cadres are cheering Lungu’s statement of being a dictator and state of emergency becauSe they don’t know what a state of emergency is.
His ever cherished wish, consistent with his troubled childhood. It’s a revenge issue.
Comment:
Now I see clearly what Hakainde Hichilema meant when he said ” if I loose there is going to be Armageddon ”
actually he meant he will give money to boys and burn markets and very soon the fire will spread to other cities.
Hey the guy was serious, Surgent Kibondo!! please make sure you give HH a nice meal there and make him feel at home. home sweet new home.
What is more clearer is the fraudster lungus statement that one Zambia one nation is dead……that was you fraud convict President issuing such a statement..
Zambia Army engineering regiment constructed the city market back in 2000! So sad I still recall those days how the guys worked so hard! So sad!!!
However reconciliation is key…sometimes we have to turn the other cheek! We thank God no lives were lost!
To the ones committing these offences – the writing is on the wall – we know who you are and stop it because you are treading on thin ice! Reconciliation is a 2 way road both must be willing – if the ones committing these acts do not cease they have only themselves to blame for the consequences!
Reconciliation can only come about if there is justice. Let those who want to condemn the lives of poor Zambians to destitution be made to face the music. The fires we have experienced involving schools, courts, ZESCO pylons, Markets and non-Tonga’s homes in Namwala are clearly the work of the enemies of the people who promised armageddon. It is now time to hit them hard so they do not continue with their foolishness. Indeed, during times like these it is justified to suspend people’s rights by declaring a state of emergency, review the situation periodically through parliament to see to it that there is an improvement in the security situation before the state of emergency is lifted. America has been down this road before in the aftermath of September 11.
Zodec
America never jailed any one on trumped up treason charges prior to 9/11.
Not Recognized! Please bear with those that really don’t recognize you! It does not matter what you want to do. The biggest loser with the intended declaration of a state of emergency will be Chagwa and PF! Presidents have been overthrown during such times because states of emergency lead to economic misery and the resulting frustrations within the ranks is what leads to those drastic actions. Don’t toy with a State of Emergency! Learn some history from other countries and learn to use good judgement in statecraft! An inferno which was obviously a result of a short circuit should not lead to a state of emergency. What you need to do is to fire the minister of home affairs and the IG for always alarming the nation. Such careless public statements are very damaging to our already sick…
Economy!
These barbaric acts must be condemned by all Zambians. The law must take its course to punish the actual perpetrators.
As for you your Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, please do not tarnish you name by turning dictator even for once. I applaud you for your desire to help affected people start again. The loss of people’s livelihoods and tax payers money must be punished to deter any other such acts
Please let the cause of fire be investigated, the root cause must be established before any recommendation! but immediate measures must be put in place before investigation process ends. Too bad for zambia
You people let’s face it: Two fire outbreaks within a space of 6 hours cannot be coincidence!!And also two incidents of zesco pylons destruction within a space of a week in two different towns cannot be a coincidence either!
Ask the Tanzanians how many building were distorted by fire before the mandated fire extinguishers and $10 smoke alarms in ever building…….as for zesco cables , the PF jarebos lungu is failing to provide jobs for have always stolen cables…
Even a baby born today knows it’s Useless Party for National Destruction from Namwala who are behind all this nonsense. Please ZP just shoot on sight!
It is the PF thieves starting fires hoping to get contracts to build markets.
ARMAGEDDON virus to be contained….HALEYA HALENYA
In times like this one wishes it would be better the country to be a one party state. Why should a normal person burn a source of living hood of so many people? So as it is who will need to vote for a party which can’t look after it people? Which cerebrates its people’s misery.
Mr. President you need foot shushushu, it won’t take time to catch these idi.ots, ask KK how he used to know what ever everyone was planning. If possible bring back some of KK men.
Thankfully ICC knows how to deal with dictators. ASk CHarles Taylor, Bagbo, Milosovic, etc. Did the US declare State of Emergency over Twin Towers or recent London fire? Why the hysteria before the cause is known? Zambia doesn’t belong to one individual, not even you, sir.
If it is the state of emergency you wish to resort to that would be a very short term resolution, and it would be difficult to reverse. I’m sure a day will come when the arsonists shall be arrested. People just want to sidetrack your focus. Read the Germany-Catholic philosopher, Immuel Kant’s writing on envy, you will surprised that one way of beating someone who is better than you is by making him dirtier. Never think or even tell the people that you are thinking of the state of emergency. JUST FOLLOW GOD’S COMMANDMENTS MR PRESIDENT…
Please Mr President be like Russian President Mr Putin.upnd do not believe in democracy.theirs is tribal war.you must up the game to crash the enemy!!see because of your kindness,marketeers are suffering today!!start with HH then go down the line!!
Please Mr President be like Russian President Mr Putin.upnd do not believe in democracy.theirs is tribal war.you must up the game to crash the enemy!!see because of your kindness,marketeers are suffering today!!start with HH then go down the line!!GOD BLESS ZAMBIA!
You advise evil and then end with a prayer, Christian country?
Let the police investigate the cause of fire first then you can make conclusions instead of concluding that it is an act of sabotage before investigations can be carried out.
Its quite laughable how most people in this country react to disasters. Its either sabotage or the devil and this is the cause of underdevelopment and serious mediocrity. Lets compare these fires with the happenings in England where there is actual terrorism. Did elegant Teresa start accusing the terrorists when that tower burnt with a death toll of 79 people? The answer is an obvious No! Why? Cause of lack of mediocrity. Here I would suffer a heart attack if we were to be given a response contrary to what is being said from Kanganja; VP; EL etc. Whats most worrying now is the level of mediocrity which is unprecedented and the pace at which it is travelling to stone-age and uncouthness. Zambia beyond mediocrity!
That is because they can’t provide jobs so they need to waiste time on distractions
Makani yabija!!State of Emergency is the worst the nation can experience.All this freedom of not respecting other peoples’ views will be thrown under the carpet.Those of us who grew under this ”animal” know what we are talking about. There is no regard for rights as enshrined in the constitution.It will be a breeding ground for unnecessary groupings like the way it was with the vigilantes.I hope the powers that Zambia Police has will not be overtaken by the vigilantes.Otherwise,state of emergency is the waste kind regime.
TALKING BACKWARDS