Zambia has issued a public apology to President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Joseph Kabila over the accident that happened over the weekend. According to a statement released to the media by Minister of Information and Broadcasting services, Ms Dora Siliya, the accident was caused by a driver who failed to obey police directives to give way to the oncoming presidential motorcade.
Ms Siliya, who is the Government Chief Spokesperson, further said that the action by the driver of the Toyota Dyna endangered the life of the visiting head of state, his entourage and members of the public, who were by and on the road.
“On behalf of his Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, I wish to convey sincere apologies to his Excellency, Mr Joseph Kabila and the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, ” concluded the statement.
Below is the full statement
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING THE PRESIDENTIAL MOTORCADE OF HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT JOSEPH KABILA OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO DURING HIS WORKING VISIT TO ZAMBIA
BY
THE CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON,
HON. DORA SILIYA, MP.,
I wish to inform the nation that, last Saturday, 17th February, 2018, his excellency the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr. Joseph Kabila visited Zambia on a working visit. During the visit, an unfortunate incidence involving the visiting president’s motorcade occurred on Sunday, 18th February, 2018 at about 10 35 hours.
The brief facts of the matter are as follows: His excellency president Kabila’s motorcade was involved in a fatal road traffic accident on leopards hill road, opposite the Saudi and French embassies. As the president was proceeding to the residence of the First Republican president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, in the state lodge area, a driver of a Toyota Dyna registration number ACJ 8318, identified as Andrew Phiri, aged 35, of Twikatane compound in Lusaka, failed to obey police directives to give way to the oncoming presidential motorcade. To protect the motorcade the presidential escort provided cover resulting in the collision with the Toyota Dyna.
The driver in question, had together with other motorists been instructed by police officers manning the route, to divert to Petroda filling station on Leopards Hill road, to give way to the presidential motorcade. He however opted to use the opposite lane and overtook about ten to fifteen vehicles whose drivers had obeyed the police instructions.
The action by the driver of the Toyota Dyna endangered the life of the visting head of state, his entourage and members of the public, who were by and on the road.
In view of this unfortunate incidence, motorists are strongly advised to always obey police instructions in accordance with the provisions of the road traffic act number 11 of 2002. The police act, chapter 107 of the laws of Zambia also gives power to the police, to control and regulate traffic. The driver of the Toyota Dyna in question therefore breached the provisions of the road traffic and the police acts. His actions must be condemned by all law abiding members of the public.
The incidence involving the motorcade of his excellency the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo is extremely regrettable, as it could have been avoided, had the driver of the Toyota Dyna obeyed the instructions of the police.
On behalf of his excellency the president of the republic of Zambia, I wish to convey sincere apologies to his excellency, Mr Joseph Kabila and the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Lusaka
19th February, 2018
Are we exp citing treason charge?
It’s a very big embarrassment to the ZAMBIA Security Service.
If it was HH this could have been Treason. In any case the dictator came with bad omens and should have just been eliminated. Dora stop talking dung pretending to be the best ever diplomat when you should not even be in PF government. Stick to you breast politics
GO AWAY
There is nothing excellent about Kabila!
Statement should have been issued by Freedom Siakazwe, not from someone who was naked with some Congolese boyfriend at time of accident.
Did Dora issue statement in her personal capacity to her Mulamu?
Iam more concerned about my brother who was driving the Dyna, I pray the injuries are not serious and that he recovers.
On this I put the blame squarely on ZP, a motorcade should not be a death ride, look at our friends in developed countries when have you heard of people being bumped or shot- it doesn’t happen because Proper Planning Produces Perfect Performance!
An apology as per the requirements of protocol may be in order but let’s have a heart for our own poor brother whose dyna has been destroyed.
How about condolences to your own Zambian who lost their life?
His name is not Andrew Phiri. He is Andrew Kipili, from DRC. He wanted to assassinate the President
By the way… off the subject. When are they planning on clearing out those traffic street vendors from our roads? I thought the minister said only official road blocks to stay. But Lusaka is still crowded by those self-enriching vendors in uniform
Are we expecting treason charge?
Very s.illy thinking – be serious, there are no parallels with an arrogant, rude, and disrespectful opposition politician endangering the life of a President, just because he wants to be President himself.
Poor Dyna driver, when is going to be hanged by PF government at Mukobeko or are they taking him to Congo for treason?
“His actions must be condemned by all law abiding members of the public.”
This statement is not necessary, the dude is already dead.
We should start questioning these same VIP convoys at the rate we are going and with the PF at the helm we may just start seeing disarsters that is if we havent started already.Incompetence filters down,if Kampyongo can say that his job is to arrest those who “insult” the president we should know that the man does not know his duties.While he is scanning the net to surf it and identify those that “insult” the head of state he neglects his core duties like VIP protection these are the results.
Joseph Kabila is endangering the lives on millions of DRC citizens with his illegal stay in office .When is he gonna issue an apology to his citizens and to Zambia for straining our resources with inflow of refugees?
Mzambia wa zamani an hidden Kasai in zambia whith tribalistic supports for his tribesman felix tshisekedi whom the father Etienne Tshiseked after a span of 50 years in diffeernts ministries in various governments of Drc till his death last year did even manage to dig a single well into his own village of Kabeya Kamwanga for the benefifit of his village! Kabila is hated because he is nationalist does resist to the recolonisation of Congo by western imperialists! Kasai who fail to devellop their villages and scatter all over the earth from their Kasai Provinces to wander all over in order to enjoy waht others have yield through hard work! Go in Lubumbashi a lamba town and see How the town is now invaded by Kasai! they plot i that one of their tribesman must lead Congo…
We should be apologising to DRC people for not getting rid of this corrupt pest and not eliminating Lazy Lungu’s partner in crime!!
It’s in the best interest of the People of Congo that Zambia, SADC& the African Union shud cease recognizing Kabila as the President of DR Congo. His stay is encouraged by many of God colleagues in power. Lt Gen Ian Khama Seretse Khama cannot host such an individual except to tell him to get out of the office.
Where on earth do you find a country having 526 political Parties, 45 political TV stations and 83 Radio stations of which the majority broadcast negativities about the Head of State without fear and harassments???? ONLY IN DRC UNDER KABILA !
@ Kamalondo, to be fair it is quite a huge country.
It’s in the best interest of the People of Congo that Zambia, SADC& the African Union shud cease recognizing Kabila as the President of DR Congo. His stay is encouraged by many of his colleagues in power. Lt Gen Ian Khama Seretse Khama cannot host such an individual except to tell him to get out of the office.
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What was Kabila really doing here in Zambia….where is the transparency? This visit was purely personal business between two very corrupt individuals. If it was peace Lazy Lungu would have outlined some sort of roadwork.
*…roadmap.
True, i have also not heard what this leader of a traumatized country came to do.Amos Chanda was rumbling in what must have been a hangover and giving his diploma in journalism wisdom without really telling us what Kabila came for.Finshi balandile pali abantu abalefwa munkondo,kunsala nefyashala?
What if he is asking neighboring countries whether they would allow him sanctuary so that he can leave the Presidency? You think this is just simple visit?
abilima
There is diplomatic talk about some one seeking sanctuary , but atleast you tell the nation what you talked about if you do not hold a press conference as normal countries do….
1. Again and again I repeat, just as I blamed the police for the famous Mongu traffic incident. How does police clear the way for a presidential motorcade 30 seconds before the motorcade passes??? Lack of proper planning has hit all PF arms: President, Police, Education, Health, Local government, etc.
2. It was wrong to host Kabila the illegal president of DRC. Zambia’s foreign policy has no regard for the DRC constitution????
Napapa Sana
How can you ask that question just look at who is in charge of the people who are supposed to clear the way?These are serious matters of State Security that is when Kampyongo the line Minister keeps quiet.Ba Kampyongo on HH’s arrest on GBM’s arrest he even turned into the chief government spokesman,on this serious issue he is quiet.Baba Kampyongo this is your job wake up where are you?We pay you for doing your core duty not sorting out political opponents
Imagine how does one use a 4 by 4 vehicle to go and head on a small oncoming vehicle…how did he determine it was a threat, that officer hit it as these untrained officers are reckless drivers who weave about like they own the road. I hope that Police Officer is prosecuted.
First news out of DRC blamed the Catholic priests who are against his stay in power for the spate of accidents, his 3rd so far…..now Congolese are citing an assassination attempt….
The congolee is a very supersitious person, don’t be surprised if they try to squeeze Zambia at the boarders….
WE MUST NOT BE APOLOGISING TO KABILA. A ZAMBIAN HAS LOST HIS LIFE AND IS NOT HERE TO TELL HIS SIDE OF THE STORY! Whether he was deliberately wrong or not clearly caused the accident by “accident” it is not correct to attribute the blame to a guy that was probably hustling to put food on the table. Our Police just need to be more careful when clearing the way for any motorcade.
I expected Hon. Siliya to mention the fate of the driver of the Dyna. Whether he was wrong or not, if he lost his life in the mistake he made, we need to offer our condolences and sympathy and not to just keep quiet like that. It is very disrespectful.
Exactly. Zambian Life is precious…. Period
Yesterday I thought the motorcade driver was at fault but it after hearing the facts it appears he was not the only one who thought he is the King of the road:
“He however opted to use the opposite lane and overtook about ten to fifteen vehicles whose drivers had obeyed the police instructions.”
Now that’s lunatic behavior. Did he win his driver’s licence in the lottery?
I thought you always have to overtake using the opposite lane i.e if its a single lane road
#1 Ntaulu, you ask: “Are we expecting treason charge?”
Answer: The guilty are afraid. Yes, tell us whom you sent to embarrass our country, you are well known for that arent you?
By the way when are we expecting his weekly press briefing? Dont disappoint your fellow Zambians, we need a laugh its good therapy.
Lord have mercy
During the debate in south african parliament on President Ramaphosa’s first SONA, DP leader Mmusi Maimane tells parliament and the President: “Despite holding contrary political views we are not enemies but South african brothers.”
Did you hear that president h.h? That is supposed to be your strategic partner, I thought you were birds of a feather? Boy was I wrong! Maimane must be shocked at your manners, very unpresidential.
No one in S.A. is being attacked and beaten for holding divergent views or for calling zuma corrupt …..and no opposition party in SA is being harrassed and intimidated and denied space to meet …
Madame Sisulu in RSA parliament: “We have a few challenges but we are not a broken state”.
Maimane: “We must work together as South Africans to solve our country’s problems.”
No one in S.A. is being attacked and beaten for holding divergent views or for calling zuma corrupt …..and no opposition party in SA is being harrassed and intimidated and denied space to meet …
Spaka like lilo
Be like me dont give relevance to i.diots.upnd cadre above is not deserving of a response,but thanks i note the point.
That is how civilised people behave, politics does not turn them into a semblance of wild animals which have never seen the inside of a classroom except to go and grab some goodies from pupils, Victoria Falls (Mukuni) style.
Perhaps the Dyna had no brakes. He missed out on a chance to get rid of the dictator
One thing Joseph has in common with Under Five – Overstaying!
Everyone who endangers a presidential motorcade should go to Chainama then to Mukobeko!
DYNA driver did not overtake 10-15 cars please, the said cars were waylaid on the sides sationary, so is that overtaking? SECOND THEIR WAS NO NEED FOR POLICE TO PANIC AND PROVIDE SO CALLED COVER, KK is always at home waiting for his time to go to Hell, why cruise THEN? POLICEMAN COULD HAVE SIGNALLED OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND TO REDUCE SPEED AS HE SPEEDS UP TO, TO FACE THE UPND DRIVER PACK ON THE SIDE TO GIVE WAY TO BENE BA CONGO. APOLOGY CANNOT BE GIVEN BY DORA BUT MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, BUT SINCE KALABA RESIGNED NO CREDIBLE PIPO UNDERSTAND MOF protocals
Too bad. However, Mr Phiri was wrong.
UPND danderheads don’t understand anything on this site they just rant like clueless under five leader
Wicked Joseph Kabila deserves no apology, We missed a great opportunity to save our Congolese brethren from this brute.
I could not touch Kabila with a ten foot pole, I would actually hang him to death on it.
Was HH driving the other car?
No Sharon , HH was not driving , so you standing on the side of road in a mini skirt is a waiste of your time….
You needn’t apologize for this incident! Kabila is being haunted by innocent blood he has been shedding in DRC. There is no escape. This is the third accident he has been involved in three weeks. Watch this space! Innocent blood is crying for justice and all that will associate themselves with his schemes shall pay with their souls! Those who have ears let them listen!
How did a driver who failed to obey the police under police watch is the question? There should have been extreme precautionary measures in place to avoid such things. Why are we blaming an individual instead of the sleeping police? Had it been an assassination attempt, the person would have succeeded. Same thing that transpired in the alleged HH treason charges which were made up by Camp Lungu. The Zambia Police play a major role in any motorcade. They help the security staff from another destination map out a primary route and a backup plan, in case a traffic accident or a protest blocks the way. That means deciding between city streets, steering clear of congestion, to even avoiding train tracks where the motorcade might have to make an unscheduled stop. Blame the Zambian Police!
Don’t put the whole blame on the driver. Sometimes the police don’t give proper road signals because of iincompetence
UPND should change its leader don’t rely on same person all the time
PF police are useless; they don’t know how to plan; the leader of this great nation where i am comes to my area without the roads cleared for him; why o African misuse the term excellency? Most of them are crooks and we call them HE;
RIP Andrew only God can Judge you.
“The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases.” let no man judge but God
Honourable thing to do is for the HA Minister and IG to resign. Zambia first, the loss of a Zambian life is what you should be talking about here. The Police caused this death period
Had kabila Stayed in Congo, The Accident Could have been Avoided. That is the type of feedback you get when you have a traffic Accident in Congo.
On a lighter note: presido Kabila looks like Wesley Snipes, wearing a beard so as to remain incognito to US tax officials when Snipes was found guilty of tax evasion, remember guys?