The opposition UPND has announced the postponement of Sunday’s planned public rally in Kanyama due to the outbreak of Cholera in Lusaka.
UPND Lusaka Provincial Chairman Dr. Bob Sakahilu said the decision was arrived at after consultations with the Commissioner of Police Lusaka Province.
Dr Sakahilu said the rally has been postponed to another date.
“We urge our members and Lusaka residents to appreciate and abide by the health regulations that have been put in place to control the outbreak and advise that we will inform you of the new rally date in due course. Kindly take this as official notification from the UPND,” Dr Sakahilu said.
Meanwhile, EPP leader Chilufya Tayali earlier today petitioned police in Lusaka to rescind its decision to allow the UPND to proceed with the rally in light of the Cholera outbreak.
In a letter addressed to Lusaka Police Commissioner Nelson Phiri, Mr Tayali said the Kanyama rally should be cancelled in public health interest.
“We earnestly urge you to consider the health risk that the United Party for National Development (UPND) poses due to the recent out-break of Cholera in Lusaka. Sir, the numbers of cholera victims have been increasing and Kanyama is one of the affected areas. Though I may not be public health expert but it is common knowledge that cholera spread very fast through contact and public rallies are a big risk,” the letter read.
“Further, Sir, it is a common practice that some political parties, including the UPND, like to ferry people from different areas to bring them where the rally is, this increases the chance of people contracting cholera and spreading it elsewhere and before we know it, the pandemic will be all over and many people risk their lives.”
It read, “Sir, our plea, is not political, but a public health concern and as the adage goes, “prevention is better than cure”. If Cholera spread more than it has so far, Govt will have to lose a lot of resources to save lives, whilst those of us in opposition will take turns to blame Govt for the lives and resources lost.”
“We beseech you, sir, to call the UPND leadership to consider this factual and eminent health risk their rally poses. And if the UPND care for the people of Zambia, they should have no problem to call of their rally until at a time when our communities are safe,” part of the letter read.
“We strongly believe that, the Public Order Act (POA) was meant to prevent any danger on properties or citizens, such danger includes, health risks which can kill and affect more people than riotous behaviour which we often refer to when it comes to the POA.”
the signs are very clear that UPND under cannot and will never rule Zambia. why forcing rallies but not willing to go and have prayers on the national day of prayers.
Funny thing is, the gathering for day of prayer went on and Mr Tayali was there. Funny stuff happening
Yes , come to think of it . Insala ba Tayali.
But the tayali and pf were encouraging people to go and gather in large numbers on the 18th of October, guy this is taking your hate to another level.
How come cholera is still a pandemic in Zambia when all it requires is a clean environment?
How many people from the 18th of October gathering got infected with cholera? That should be a starting point for health specialists to determine the health safety of next political gatherings.
finally upnd has stated reasoning!
Very good reason, good job Tayali.
Why didnt they pray for God to eradicate cholera in the biggest city of Zambia? You need to understand that God cannot do things for you that you are capable of doing. This is the reason God gave you a mind to think and work hard, not just thieving and later pray to God for forgiveness. Forgiveness for what?? As a catholic i feel Pentecostal churches are promoting laziness in Africa by preaching God can make money for his people. If it was like that Christians would have been the richest individuals in the world. Learn to work hard fellow Africans.
Give a man enough rope…..
WHERE AND WHEN DID THEY FORCE A RALLY UNLIKE OTHERS HAVING ROLL CALLS ON PRAYER DAY.
Surprise, surprise. Will the independence celebrations be canceled also or Kanyama residents be caged in Kanyama ? Or were the residents of Kanyama caged in the compound on 18th October (National Prayer Day)?
COME ON UPND, YOU STILL HAVE ENOUGH TIME. SHIFT THE RALLY TO MATERO OR MTENDERE, COME ON!
This kumwesu character using the same words George Kunda used to use that Sata will never rule Zambia. Are you God, you are not and you cant be, so shut your beak
Good move, health matters.
You had your good time on the 18th bane, nanga nkani ya cholera yambwela bwanji lelo, imwe ba kristu ba Edward.
@Divide & Rule, naimwe mubauze ba kristu ba Sonny Chitumbuwa bapemphera so that Cholera isile kwa Kanyama. Tizabwela ku rally naife. Kikikikiki
iwe pandapwiti you was so good navima rewrites mu grade 10 ayi?
@Divide & Rule, ma rewrites yenze yokosa, especially the past tenses, e.g you was, I were, etc.
UPND should have known better. Kanyama is at the epicenter of the cholera outbreak. Good move on the concerned officials.
The citizenry in these shanty compounds need to change their habits. They are in the forefront of making bad electoral choices and are the first to bear the brunt of shameful diseases like cholera.
Anyway UPND are a disorganised bunch of numpties…they would rather have rallies than use MPs in Parliament.
The best image tarnishing machine in Zambia is pf, out of this harmless rally comes the international media to report that Zambia is ravaged by cholera. Who is playing who here.
Really laughable…you call PF best image tarnishing machine…they can not spin tea in a cup without messing up.
Pwapwapwapwa, i can’t wait to see tayali petition IG to stop all independence day gatherings on Tuesday, NICE! watch this Christian hypocrisy.
How come the National Prayers and Fasting were held inspite of the Cholera Outbreak? Next week on Tuesday 24 th October 2017 will be Zambia’s Independence Day and lets hope all Independence Celebrations country wide will be cancelled becoz of the Cholera outbreak. What is good for the Gender is good for the gander. We don’t want hypocrisy in these health matters.
Does it mean we won’t have independence day celebrations gatherings in the cholera epicenter our beloved Lusaka? I think on this one someone has shot himself in the Bigfoot.
Waimona naiwe? Ili bad.
Upnd don’t attend independence celebrations so don’t worry yourself.
Continue HH2 aleisa pole pole 2021 zedforward we are tired of the same old same old…two money happy people trying o recoup their financial losses
hh is slowly getting old. he has already lost five presidential elections making him record holder in the world.
2021 ECL 54%, CK16% HH 14% FDD 5% MMD 2% OTHERS 9%
YOU HAVE RIGGED ALREADY OR YOU DOING MOCKS IN READINESS FOR FINAL.
HAVE you SEEN thinking and REASONING of BEMBAS ! VIVA Tayali you HAVE made US proud although the matter was tabled in parliament but poor OBSERVERED because of politics…
Okay, this was already tabled by Doctors and health specialists.
Yes …..and reasoning that cholera can not be spread during gatherings of prayer recently held ???
Very warped reasoning
Ala, you knew there cholera but you still went ahead to apply for a permit. Oh those from new Kasama don’t want us cholera infested animals. Suppose the police had turned down the application on account of epidemic? Am Spaka &Comp were going report zp to Amnesty.
Kikikikikiki under 5 HH at it again.if this reason came from Zambia police,all those in Authority could have been insulted.now that upnd have no money to ferry tongas from Mazabuka to come and attend this kanyama rally,the rally has been postponed-amazing.in 2016 bantustans used to jump from one upnd rally in Lusaka to another-deceiving themselves.but after voting,true colours came out,i.e;upnd lost in all urban areas of Lusaka and copperbelt-kikikikiki.
PF Govnt should start allowing upnd to be having rallies across Zambia and let them fail on their own!!IF CHOLERA REASON CAME FROM ZP,HH COULD HAVE INSULTED EVERYBODY AND CALLED ECL A DICTATOR!!BUT UPND HAS FAILED ALONE!!look,next elections are in 2021 and majority us do not want UPND’S useless rallies.this is time to work.
No more permits for United Nicompoop Party for Distrustful.
If the authorities refused UPND would have cried FOUL
True. Kanganja must resign was going to be their war cry.
Fake Christian country is all I can say!!! pagans here always making fun of each others parties, tribes etc. The fake Christians at the show grounds on Wednesday were not at risk of catching cholera?
To be fair unless the situation is dire, cops should have just demanded that UPND take more precautions at their MASS rally ie outside toilets, clean water available and other hygiene procedures put in place on site, just so it stops people starting to think that maybe actually someone fears UPND more than the actual cholera….
It’s not the police who have postponed the rally.
Tayali is the main man, very wise. you have saved lives T
Ichi kwanka bachimwena kumapalanya.
What does that mean you Bemba twat?
This whole saga was a gimmick. The ZP having run out of excuses to block the UPND rally simply connived with others that they will use the health act instead. As UPND we know this but will just give you enough rope. To us this is a long game. Just in case you start thinking you are smart. Check!,,, Mate!
Did you read the article or the just the headline? Wow, the amount of UPND cadres who cannot read past the headline is phenomenal!
@16.1 That’s what worries me about HH disciples. They talk without verification. In any case going by his flag I see how he was going to attend the meeting.
Tayali is speaking sense. Noone wants to lose their members; UPND or PF
The rally should have gone ahead so that the few remaining under5s in lusaka die of cholera. They could have wiped out themselves as simple as that. Independence celebrations will go on as planned. Upnd should have deployed health carers to deal with cholera just like they bragged about providing their own security if police was unable to do it. Kiki.
Who is this little clown who yaps everyday?
Kachalo kanasila, twasalako nitu ma politics chabe, Tough Life
Good call UPND, the PF kaponya rats were panicking on LT.
However tiyali should be asked why he attended day of national prayers and did not say anything when there is a risk of cholera spreading with people from different compounds inter reacting . ..
What panic. Crowds can mean anything. It’s the ballot that counts. Take me for instance I don’t support HH but I attended most of their rallies on the copperbelt. That’s why you can’t accept results because you base it on ZWD and crowds.
EZXCELLENT DECISION
Why not hold the rally in New Kasama? Oh no those shanty dwellers will litter our little town with Shake Shake packets and do all evil things.
No independence celebrations.. What a releaf to business houses that were asked to make contributions.
Can Tayali also give us his opinion, advise or position with regard to the forthcoming independence celebrations? And how does Kanyama residents generally feel to be stigmatised with cholera as a reason to bar them from associating with other Lsk residents?
A deceived group of people from one region thinks that elections will be in two months! Others think he is “President!” Yes he is! Of the Namwala speaking peoples!
Pemba can vote 100% but that won’t make him president!
REMEMBER THAT NEXT TIME U WANT TO HOLD A RALLY AT THE SAME VENUE YOU NEED TO APPLY AND WAIT FOR POLICE REJECT/ACCEPT
They can hold it in Namwala instead.
Giving people false hopes gives birth to disillusionment! Unfortunately, Under Fives can’t discern!
These is why chakolwa runaway, it’ is because he cannot handle these issues home.
Let’s see what happens when Independence Day, if cholera will be still be there.
Why are all Past Zambian Presidents scared of signing the death penalties so that all those on death row who committed heinous crimes are executed in the interest of justice. Such a scenario also renders the judges’ decisions of sentencing criminals to death a futile exercise and doesn’t also deter potential criminals in society from committing capital crimes knowing that even when they are sentenced to death they will just serve life sentences and not be hanged until pronounced dead. Furthermore, executioners get paid for doing nothing.
Kumawa,
Learn to be focused on issues. We are not talking about death penalty on this thread, (cancelled rally due to cholera).
Good reasoning by some members of the UPND. I said some because most of them do not see good coming from the GRZ. Road re construction, Hospital face lifts and building of new ones, fire tenders, and so on are nothing but a waste of resources to most of them.
So in 2021, all we need is a cholera outbreak in NW, SW, W Provinces, ain’t it? That ought to prevent landslides, even perhaps grande apathy!