The 26 gassing suspects arrested across the country are now appearing before the courts of law for various charges.
Home Affairs Minister, Stephen Kampyongo, has announced that one of the suspects arrested on the Copperbelt Province today is believed to be one of the coordinators of the gassing incidences.
The Minister says the perpetrators operate in groups with various coordinators and that the police will soon share with the public information that is coming out on the motives of gassing.
Mr Kampyongo has indicated that some of the suspects arrested have been charged under the terrorism Act Section 9 while other suspects are appearing in court for cases such as murder.
He was speaking in Lusaka today at a joint press briefing held at the Ministry of Information, with Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Dora Siliya and Minister of General Education, David Mabumba.
The Minister further assured the public that Lusaka is returning to calm and that people should stop living in fear as the men and women in uniform are on the ground to make sure that order is restored.
Mr Kampyongo said the police have made a lot of progress in rounding up the suspects.
And Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dora Siliya, said government remains focused and committed to ensuring that the gassing and all killings of innocent people are brought to a stop.
Ms Siliya, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, said people should appreciate the measures that the government is putting in place to ensure that order is restored unlike politicking the situation.
She said it is sad that 46 people have been killed in mob justice some of whom were innocent people and very well known in the community.
The Minister noted that every well-meaning citizen should be concerned with the mob killing of innocent people instead of accusing government of having blood on their hands because of measures taken to restore calm and order in the nation.
She added that the police are concerned about the safety of the people hence putting up certain measures for them to investigate and restore calm so that people should be able to move freely.
Meanwhile, Minister of General Education, David Mabumba, stated that schools will continue to function normally as leadership is being provided to ensure that the gassing activity is addressed collectively.
The Minister said his Ministry is working together with the Ministry of Home Affairs to maintain the situation.
He also noted that the information shared with various school managers is enough for them to strengthen security systems in schools.
I still belive there is no organised gassing.
I still belive GRZ sat on the issue and infact hyped it up to get an excuse to prosecute the opposition.
Only the assing allegations turned into country wide hysteria, and was more prevellant in PF strong holds. This created a problem for PF who can not explain now an opposition organised gassing campain can be happening in PF homegrounds teaming with police and PF caders.
Unemployment and high costs of living pushed people into this hysteria.
Forget what you believe, we need to look at the facts and not speculations. If these arrests mean that order and normalcy has returned to the cities, then it is well and good.
I agree, Nine Chale, the peace is coming back, no more fear for our citizens especially those that live in un-wall-fenced households. The more people have, people the more people engage in legal and honorable economic activities.
We are watching you ba Kampyongo. You have delibaratly cast blind eye on the police and pf carder that was arrested in connection with gassing. All you have been doing is assume that it is UPND involved in the crime. Your boss has deliberately not given a press briefing because he knows the plan. He will only come in the open when he successfully traps the main opponent. For now all you guys are doing is draw nearer to arresting HH. This is what this is all about. Everyone knows.
Here is what you should know , the country is aware that you Kampyongo and Kaizer Zulu are the key players in all this. Be informed that soon someone will come for you guys. For now you may seem to be winning. But your days are numbered. He who lives by the sword will dai by the sword says the Lord. You are…
You are an asot to democracy, and the general citizenry. You time is near. You will remember these words
Was Dora on maternity leave?
I fvking missed Dora!!
XoXoXo Dora Siliti, missed so so so much.
Many more to come. We are working without fear or favour. Rule of law is supreme. We will ensure to facilitate a fair trial. Innocent until proven guilty
THE SERIOUS PROBLEM MIGHT COME OUT AFTER SOMETIME. SOME CHEMICALS ARE TOXIC AND SLOW POISONING AND WHY ARE WE NOT TALD THE NAME OF THE CHEMICAL USED? THIS TELLS US A LOT. ITS NOT RIGHT TO KEEP QUIET WITHOUT IMFORMING CITIZENS THE NAME OF THE BRAND OR CHEMICAL USED TO GASS CITIZEN. ALL CITIZENS KNOW MANY CHEMICALS LIKE, DOOM, PESTS CIDES HARMFUL AND HARMLESS.
WHY IS OUR GOVMNT FAILING TO ALERT US THE TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED?
PLEASE TELL US IN ADVANCE BEFORE THINGS GET WORSE.
WE DEMAND TO BE TALD THAN RUSHING TO TAKE BLOOD FOR HIV TESTS.
YOU KNOW SOMETHING.
Gassers, wherever you are, if you are within reach of my message, please gas Dora Silinyo! You will surely be handsomely rewarded.
Let’s hope this time it’s the truth and not the crap which the PIG was telling us.
How someone like Stephen Kampyongo can be Minister of all Cops is laughable…this is the guy who was stating that gassers are from the opposition. Where has the Govt spokeswoman been…these guys are stealing taxpayers money they are just holding titles
Not to worry, Kanganja will tomorrow refute this announcement.
I can put my neck on the line and categorically state that there has been no organised gassing campains…..
I am truly amazed at how thick people can be. Is it just me with superior analytical skills or are most Zambians just dum and deeply into black magic and miracles ??
How can any organisation carry out a sustained gassing campain in a country full of PF cader thugs on every corner and people belive that ?
Dora has been handling Gas. Look at the color of her nails!
We want to hear from president Isaac Chipampe, let him address a press conference and answer direct questions. Not these two juveniles, one of whom behaves like someone who knows something or everything about the gassing.
One day God will surely bring out the whole truth about all this, its beyond our understanding Zambians have never been so hateful to each other like this why God please give us the truth expose the real evil over all this heinous crimes.
We need to arrest the little one too.
B.ull! PF govt. now trying to score political points. You take no meaningful action with your incompetent security wings (as arranged) and watch as people are murdered – your ‘Great Leader’ provides no leadership or firm direction and then you claim you have now arrested people who will appear in court. This all smacks of a plan gone wrong and a government in desperate damage control after some skimming in the background. The original plan was to implicate the opposition but as they lost control, they are now wondering whether that is still viable – hence portraying that all along they were ‘investigating’ while innocent people died.
A truly independent inquiry is needed to get to the bottom of the behaviour of this scandalous regime. It presided over the death of many innocent souls while it stood by – my gut feeling all along being not only because it has useless compromised security wings but that it also orchestrated the chaos. Political morality, good governance and the rule of law (with their values and principles) demand that this rubbish concoction of a bunch of dysfunctional beings, resign forthwith. Of course we know they won’t – that is why we need impartial findings or action to kick them out. There has never been any legitimacy with this regime, anyway.
it appears GBM haas cooperated with the Police.
Has Lusaka Times JOINED PF in blocking comments? Please unblock my comments.. I give you a benefit of doubt for now
Yes PF leadership is guilty of culpable homicide of the more than 45 people murdered by lynch mobs.
The PF leadership stood by and aided and abetted the gassing allegations in the hope the opposition will get blamed, only the situation got out of control for them.
They are left dazed and confused when people ask how any organisation can carry out a sustained gassing campain in PF strongholds full of PF police and caders.
Worse for them , those questions are turning into accusing fingers pointed at them , the PF.
When those accusing PF got louder , is the only time lungu spoke……
The high levels of unemployment fanned the flames of the gassing hysteria.
The fact these P.F Goons tested out the Blacking out of Social media in the whole of Southern Province days ago, was just testing for when they wrongly lock up opposition leaders, turn off Social media, so as not to get an angry reaction for wrongly accusing & locking up innocent opposition politicians
(Ch!mp)yongo the Kat0ndo street dealer WILL SET ZAMBIA ON FIRE, if people sleep walk into this carefully strategized plan.
ALL THIS GASSING IS P.F LED, PLANNED, & EXECUTED!!
Unfortunately it’s so big a plan to keep tight & secret, hence it’s become a very shoddy operation, that most intelligent & reasoning Zambians can see right through.
The next worst crime from the fanning of hysteria PF are committing is to convince suspects caught as lynch mob murderers to plead guilty to gassing and name opposition as sponsores for reduced sentences……
With such a scenario, We say all those found guilty of gassing should be sentenced to death……they are after all responsible for the 46 lynch mob murders.
So Police under PF no longer use Rubber Bullets? When GRZ Spokesperson speaks, they speak GRZ policy! Dora says Police are now Licensed to kill! She says Police have to kill a few if that is what it takes to restore public order! She says we must be “Comforted” that Police have to shoot one to restore public order? That was irresponsible and callous talk! Does Dora understand what crimes against humanity are? What does she have to say about Deputy Speaker Namugala’s Nephew, a defenseless student, killed by police? This was the most insensitive to say when people are still mourning the loss of loved ones. If I was Namugala, I would Sue the state to help restore sanity! Licensing Police to kill without need for accountability is putting Public Safety in Danger as some officers will begin…
Licensing Police to kill without need for accountability is putting Public Safety in Danger as some officers will begin to think they are above the Law! The bl00d of the innocent lives is on your Head! It’s now beginning to make sense that there is something sinister going on behind the scenes when you consider the black rings and the PF spiritual powerhouse aka PF Seer1! Our leaders are callus and heartless! Your hands are stained with the bl00d of innocent souls!
Look at the hands gesture of these two Chagwanic ministers, its thumps on the gas trigger, ready to gas you out!
And some people will come here saying the police are doing nothing smh….. hats off ZP continue with the good works.
For once let us appreciate good works and put politics aside.
Please take ’em and their leader to Chimbokaila.