President Edgar Lungu has ordered the Defence Forces to help the Zambia Police Service deal with political violence ahead of the August 12th General polls.
President Lungu said maintaining law and order in the country is not only the job of the police but also other security wings.
He wrote on his Facebook page that the soldiers have so far been deployed in Lusaka and will be deployed in other parts of the country if the situation demands so.
“Fellow citizens, In order to curb the polical violence we have witnessed in the past two days, I have allowed the Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force and Zambia National Service to help the Zambia Police in dealing with the security situation,” President Lungu said.
“Maintaining law and order is a daily chore of the police, but sometimes they need help from other security wings. Defence wing personnel have already been deployed in some parts of Lusaka and will be deployed in other parts of the country if the situation demands so,” President Lungu stated.
He said this step has been taken in order to ensure that the work of the Electoral Commission of Zambia is not interfered with.
“The events in Kanyama where two of our members were allegedly killed in political violence makes me very sad. I’m sad not because the victims were members of my party, but because they were Zambians who didn’t deserve to die in that manner,” he said.
He said government will not allow what happened in Kanyama to be repeated anywhere else in our country.
“We cannot shed any more blood. I expect all political players to exercise maximum restraint, even under provocation and allow the law to take its course. Let us not forget who we are – one Zambia, one nation,” said President Lungu.
That is what I also expected HE to do.
The PF cadres have been uncontrollable and now their “commanders” are unleashing violence on each other over election “resources”.PF is riding on its own tiger,let’s hope DEC and the armed forces will sort the problem for them.
I think myself that the police are up to the task. They have always policed our elections if they are allowed to do their work without interference. There’s no need to have the military in our residential areas.
Well done Mr President. No one should die for you or any of your opponents to enter State House. There is no justification for political associated deaths whatsoever.
This is very commendable ECL. Let’s hope one will have evidence of rigging claims this time around.
So now Lazy Lungu has failed to justify procurement of all that pointless military hardware they bought for Zambia Police…they were more interested in getting a cut or commission from the deal….these are reckless people if Lazy Lungu was really serious about ending violence he can just make one order to PF cadres and it will end but he cant.
I AGREE THE PRESIDENT DOESNT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN
HAVING ONLY BEENHERE A FEW DAYS I HAVEALREADY SEEN ARMY AND POLICE IN RIOT GEAR RIDING AROUND
ESPCIALLY THE POLICE WAVING THEIR GUNS IN THE AIR IN A THREATENING MANNER
TO ME THIS IS PROCOVATIVE FOR SURE
This accidental President has been asleep on the job and now thinks defence forces can intimidate enough people not to vote.
As long as a population can be induced to believe in a supernatural hereafter, it can be oppressed and controlled. People will put up with all sorts of tyranny, poverty, and painful treatment if they’re convinced that they’ll eventually escape to some resort in the sky where lifeguards are superfluous and the pool never closes. Moreover, the faithful are usually willing to risk their skins in whatever military adventure their government may currently be promoting.
Pure intimidation. So is Lungu saying police have failed or are useless ? Then why not fire them. You still have powers to do so until 12th August.
DICTATOR MUSEVENI’S TACTICS COMING TO HAUNT US
How timely Mr President but how come you were mute when victims were UPND cadres in the past. The PF are very brutal even on the grassroot level. They have made public places such as markets and bus stations their own. Citizens from all different parties are Zambians and Zambians do not subscribe to tribalism but your government has encouraged division on tribal lines. Prof Nkandu Luo for example is a bad choice for a running mate because she is on record to say no Tonga person would be president of Zambia. How abominable is that statement? Then you go ahead to endorse her sentiments by picking her as your vice president (running mate)t. She will never be accepted by all peace loving Zambians I am afraid!
when more than two(2) people were gassed to death,where any forces deployed to deal with the situation \?????
Everywhere you look is a litany of failure! Warned a longtime ago that this group of PF supporters is harmful to Zambia. Releasing prisoners Enmass…surely these are the results! I do not know if they were intended consequences or ….
Thanks Mr. President for the action. Under-five’s bitterness is too much. Mulekeni Hakaivotela Humwine
People who never experienced war, One difference or argument, then they are ready to start a war. People who had been to war, they are trying everything to avoid war and to live in peace, because they know what war can do. War is like fire. You cannot control it. Once you start it. Everyone will die or be hurt by it. Including innocent people and it is difficult to stop it
The Army and other security personnel are always deployed to assist in most countries of the world. Fresh examples include ater last US elections, and the current unrest in South Africa in both cases the army was deployed to assist the police. For some people to insinuate that the Zambian police is enough to maintain order under these desperate acts of violence is not only suspicious but naivity of grave concern. Some political party leaders have naturally been known to be bad losers and are willing to shed as much blood as possible.
My post is being moderated. I said Lungu picked the wrong running mate because she on record saying that a Tonga person would never be president of our great nation. How abominable is that statement? Picking Nkandu is fishing (catching) a dry one.
test one two three
Luo is the wrong running mate because she is on record for tribal sentiments
Meanwhile this lazy moron gave Police IG 6 months to reform the police to date he has not reviewed that matter…now he is just admitting that Police have failed…seriously do we want 5 more years of this ineptness…PF should have chosen another candidate not this empty suit Edgar.
This is just Lungu last gamble to use the security forces to help him rig the elections. It will not work. If he thinks this is Uganda, let him think again. Lungu is just digging his grave deeper and deeper with his criminal mindset.
I really doubt those carders were killed by UPND because this move of deploying military shows without doubt that it is a well orchestrated plan by the state to deploy the military in the final days before elections. May Lungu’s criminal mindset backfire.
Long overdue.
Five more years of not taking stock, not being accountable, not being transparent …tolerating incompetence and mediocrity ..all these problems boils down to poor leadership and absentee President..you can not stand up and want to tackle issues now. People have to careful putting army on the streets is tantamount to declaring martial law….this is a carbon copy from MU7 way of rigging elections!!
THE PRESIDENT AND MORE SO THE PF THUGS HE HASNT CONTROLLED
WILL BE SEEN DURING AND AFTER THE ELECTIONS>>>> AN ELECTION NEVER SEEN BEFORE IN THIS COUNTRY
WE ZAMBIANS ARE A PEACEFUL RACE BUT BECAUSE OF A FEW THUGS AND TROUBLE MAKERS WHICH THE POLICE SHOULD CONTROL
THIS GOVERNMENT IS LABELLING THE GENERAL POPULATION AS TROUBLE MAKERS
SHOCKING DEVELOPEMENT
One Guy Scott was right those many years ago…
Whats happening on the ground is that the PF thugs are being repelled by the opposition and ordinary members of the public.
The PF cadres are now on the losing end.
They are bringing in the army as the PF cadres are now powerless against the masses
Thank you our president for taking this timely action. Enough is enough. The upnd thugs are taking us for granted. We welcome this move and trust that the army will deal with these motherf.c.u.k.e.r.s in upnd. Fcuk the life out of them.
But the police hv not been out-gunned or out-numbered. Are the police facing armed hoodlums?
The Byzantine General’s dilemma.
The move by the president gives comfort to the voters regarding their safety and will now dispell fears of violence as they go to vote peacefully.
The police were doing a good job but were definitely overwhelmed and current circumstances require concerted efforts to maintain order countrywide.
South Africa recently did the same and It worked well .
Ba PPPPPPPF and Kaiza, where are those expensive gears you BOUGHT and of which you were PROUD of? I am sure you have realized your plan to use the FORCE of Police has failled. In Africa, it’s NOT advisable to use the Army espacially now during election period.
Kanganja, this is clear indication that you have failed, no reason for you to continue.
A big mistake by ECL and a gain to the opposition and Zambians at large. ECL has just handed over power to the military without him realising.
Unlike the Zambian Police, the army are professionals.
Thank you ECL for lack of foresight.
Patriotic Zambian citizen- Do you not know what was happening in RSA..how can you even compare the two? Some of you have no faculties whatsoever..
“He wrote on his Face-book page that the soldiers have so far been deployed in Lusaka and will be deployed in other parts of the country if the situation demands so.”
Zambian voters whether you are opposition or not we can not have 5 more years of this shambolic leadership under Lazy Lungu whereby a Head of State can not face the media and the nation …this man is clueless and absolutely incompetent to lead; his handlers are becoming desperate now.
Thank you Lungu for giving the soldiers back their duty to help the Zambian people a chance to free themselves from the shackles of PF s tyranny.
I can now see that true change coming.
To the soldiers, please work with the Zambian people to deliver a vote for change and restore Zambia s lost credibility and sanity.
See what happened to former army chiefs who helped PF rig 2016 elections. ZAF general was once detained is currently facing jail. Others were dropped just like dogs.
Soldiers this is your chance to make history.
PFmust fall.
The same soldiers were deployed by president Master Surgent Samuel Kanyon Doe in Liberia before they turned their guns on his stinking a.ss and shot it off. Only time will tell, this month!
A warning to upndead hooligans. The Army is not like Police Service.
You delela’ed the Police service, but the Army cannot be belesha’ed.
I congratulate the POTROZ for this move. It was long over due otherwise these kwindis were going to crobber us all.
How did we find ourselves with such an evil “Christian” in State House. God help us before it’s too late.
Excellent move Edward chagwa lungu…no more lawlessness and makaka Liswaniso advocating for murder just like his boss HH..they need to be tamed
THE DICTATOR HAS UNLEASHED HIS MINIONS !! THIS HAS BEEN HIS PLAN ALL ALONG HENCE STATIONING TROOPS IN EVERY TOWN. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF !
This move brings about peaceful campaigns and voting and works against UPND that have been the instigators of violence aimed at provoking PF to retaliate and cause the nullification of results simply because UPND knows they can’t win elections or even force a re run they have no numbers to achieve either. That’s why PF have not engaged in violence and as it’s majority of the people have already made up their minds and peaceful atmosphere will only attract a huge voter turn out which favours PF. The hype you see in UPND will not produce votes.
What terms of reference have these deployed Soldiers been given? Hugo said: “An Army cannot stop an idea whose time has come”. Freedom Sikazwe has conceded that PF has tried to sway the People using Money and Material wealth but that has failed. People are resolved to have a Change of Govt on August 12. Will the deployed Soldiers defy the Will of the People? In 10 day’s time we shall find out. The writing is on the wall.
#32@ Kanene.
The riot gears are not appropriate for now because there is no riot and the killings and violence are not riotous in nature. The equipment is made ready to quell the riots that are anticipated when one political party that has syched it’s supporters that i
#32@ Kanene.
The riot gears are not appropriate for now because there is no riot and the killings and violence are not riotous in nature. The equipment is made ready to quell the riots that are anticipated when one political party that has syched its supporters to only expect a win failure to which the elections have been rigged when it loses.
This is how UPND lost the elections. They won to ma battles with PF cadres and got excited. Perfect excuse to deploy soldiers. Now let’s see how operation protect votes is going to work. Can you chase ECZ cars with soldiers on the road.
Tis dangerous to politicize security wings however noble the intention is.They’re human afterall and 1994 Rwanda is a perfect example.
Kelvin D. Mubanga: Trump in the U.S. did not deploy any of the country’s organs of the military; he deployed the National Guard, which is somewhat similar to the Zambia National Service. The military is not supposed to be engaged in domestic matters. If we had external enemies, they would take advantage of our military’s involvement to deal with local issues and launch attacks on our country.
Well done my President. At least I can now vote with a free concious without fearing those vicious dogs. It will also give them so much room to gather evidence of vote rigging towards their anticipated petition.
HA HA viciuos dogs
We not f00ls as to whats going on you know
Pf throws the stones and when opposition react they get 100% of the blame
PF IS JUST A BUNCH OF THUGS
Deploying the army? I smell a rat especially after the kanyama muders. I hope it’s not a ploy.
This may turn out to be Lungu’s most regrettable decisions because he will be answerable for any mayhem the military are likely to cause.
The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.