For immediate Release
OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON
VIOLENCE IN PF THAT IS ENGULFING THE NATION
Country men and country women; I would like today to very somberly address myself to the violence that once more played out in Lusaka streets yesterday leading to the reported deaths and serious injuries of citizens.
I believe I speak for the majority of Zambians when I say the violence that is breaking so often on our streets and its threat, is alien, frightening and very unwelcome here.
This is not the time for me to make political capital out of this very dangerous situation we find ourselves in. We have been known, both in the region and abroad, as a haven of peace – a nation whose people respect the rule of law and uphold the rights of every member of our society.
However, it is not a secret that much of the unprecedented scenes of lawlessness, where scores of individuals march though the Central Business District of the capital city armed with pangas and other lethal weapons, is being carried out in the name of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
Today we have a parent mourning their child while others are nursing their brutally injured child in hospital, as a result of yet another violent PF political episode. We also have a child who has lost a father, and a wife who is mourning a husband, and others nursing their loved ones who were hacked by fellow Zambians.
As a Zambian citizen and leader of an opposition party that has been a victim of such PF political brutality, I have tried to refrain myself from commenting on issues concerning other political parties. However I find it difficult to be quiet when the truth is that the problem is no longer a PF one, it is a national problem. I would therefore like to make a few points:
1. It is national crisis of unprecedented proportions when citizens find it possible to arm themselves in the name of politics with no fear of consequences. It is doubly horrific when the police seem very unsure of how to respond and therefore allow party cadres to march with weapons, break traffic rules, bully other road users, frighten citizens, doing all this with impunity. It is a national crisis when these crimes are allowed to go very far into lawlessness before the police react. I therefore call on Mr. Sata through the Minister of Home Affairs and Zambia Police to immediately disband these heavily armed PF militias whose existence has so far been denied. The police must act to protect citizens without any undue political influence from lawlessness, as that is their mandate.
2. It is my heartfelt prayer that President Michael Sata and his Cabinet will for once respond to these unprecedented brutal events in our country in protection of our long cherished peace and stability. I therefore call upon the Zambia police to urgently investigate and bring to book the perpetrators of these political crimes and those that sponsor them. It is long past time for President Sata to reign on the cadres and leaders in whose name the anarchy is taking place.
3. To the Church and other Civil Society Organisations, I call upon you to call for genuine intra and interparty political dialogue and address this emerging national tragedy that is befalling this nation and other issues.
4. To Zambians, young people, especially, the unemployed and disillusioned. I know life is hard. I know meals are hard to come by. I know you wake up to boredom without hope of school, a job or even entertainment to fill the hours. I understand this but I beg you – don’t die or kill for a few kwachas or a little beer. This Zambia is ours. It is blessed with resources. The dark times will pass. Please do not be used to destroy the peace our parents and grandparents fought for. Above all do not die in vain and leave your families to grieve the loss of a dear son or daughter. Do not be the one who takes another’s life for selfish political and other partisan reasons. We only have this Zambia and peace is our greatest treasure.
I appeal to all Zambians, it is time we made our voices heard against this situation regardless of our political persuasions so that together again regain our peace
Lastly I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in this unnecessary undertaking. To those that were injured I wish them a quick recovery so that they can return to their normal and productive lives.
May God bless our beloved motherland and have a productive life.
Hakainde Hichilema
President
UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Sense
God bless the Republic of Zambia. Devil operating through PF cadres, I bind you in the name of Jesus! President Sata, rise to the occassion and put a stop to this blood lettiing by the intra party factions (GBM represented mainstream ‘tribal faction’ PF v Kabimba & Cartel led Bwinjumfumu group).
@saimbwendeki , You cannot bind the devil like that my friend. He is much too strong for you. Even the Angel Gabriel could not bind him, who do you think you are to bind such a powerful being. Your theology is misinformed. Pentecostal Dominion theology is false and will lead you to Hell. Please study the Bible carefully and don’t just follow what your preacher says.
Fuseke iwe hh waba umusana wa fyani
Lekeni sata ateke bane
Mr HH, you sound very presidential. Condolences to those those that lost a love one and quick recovery the injured.
Hh mawala only his relatives will vote for him
Umutonga pa statehouse mubepele fye
Silly statement if you believe in it ulichipuba
@Jo, why you think Sata is great? If he was man of people, he could have been on TV and radio from yestersday through out to today to comment on his PF’s doomsday. But he keeps silent, which is sign that he DON’T CARE at ALL.
when you say you believe you speak for the majority, does southern province represent the majority?
twala uko amatebela yamafi
YOU HAVE ALSO LEARNED FROM PF ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ISSUING PRESS STATEMENTS.HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
@Gen (1.7), from your previous posts I thought you were mature and level headed. You’ve just proved me wrong!
If you can’t see sense and hope in what HH has said then you seriously need your head to be examined urgently because some of your cranial valves are about blow up!
Lets for once put partisanship aside and reflect on the serious damage this violence would cause to our lives and peace if it remains unchecked. I hope those responsible will be caught and punished severely.
My heart felt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and I wish those injured and nursing their wounds a quick recovery. May God, the almighty prevail in your situation.
Fellow blogger pls from this moment onwards do ignore or snub Jo. He is a hired gun, with no intellect to talk about.
For once I agree with you!!
Sata has no feelings, he is not SADDENED by such way of causing deaths. He thinks its normal, in his thuggish mind, he might even be LAUGHING at those injured ati “..but bamuponoono, naumona” telling ka George.
As long as pf remains at the helm of our beloved government,this will continue to happen,hh you have my vote.This is a man of action the people of zambia were cheated of.
Those are the words of wise man! Indeed president in waiting! Mr HH don’t give up, continue with your great work of advising and giving checks n balances to the ruling party!
it seems this government is up to something…lets watch and see!!!
HH, I am with you on this one.
Kadansa HH, you are just another black mamba, you killed PF cadre in Livingstone bye-elections.
I like it that someone has said something, i expected some big shark from the rulling party to apologise to the Zambian people instead of the opposition leader, Very responsible of you HH. I saw a very traumatising foto on Tumfweko last night i couldnt sleep. The PF “Brotherhood” must be dealt with before they threaten the peace of our land, where is the head of state at the eleventh hour?
@Cindy, in one of your posts, watalika kulemba muchi-Germany. Ino uyeeya kuti swebo notutazyi chi-Germany tulachita buti communicate ayebo? I like your comments because they are mature and usually non-partisan. Ndanyandwa buyo kuti one or two of them have been mu musyobo ngunditazyi, na chi-Germany, or chi-Nederlander!
@ St Jude,
Believe you me that first comment wasnt meant for anyones eyes, it was meant for laughs i thought i pressed delete only to see it posted thats how the discussion started with Kolwe who was eqaully shocked,anyway, wont happen again. Ndalumba for your sweet words takecare.
This plea carries a lot of sense but I hope it’s not just a play to the gallery, but an actual realisation that we do not need violence in order to play politics. I say this because I freshly recall the Mapatizya Formular and the Mufumbwe Episode. Violence, whether inter-party or intra-party with all its ugly facets must be rooted out. Political leaders must sober up and show maturity, and offer direction to their followers. I sincerely hope HH will leave by his sober plea!
This is a True Presidential statement from a truly presidential Material. Not those useless statements from Ka George Chella From Statehouse. The Police must act now. Take back control of Lusaka streets which you currently have abrogated to PF militia’s. These are the People who killed in Livingstone and then accused UPND of the murder. PF is a Violent Party and I don’t see that changing in this life time because a party takes on the character of its leader. If your leader is a thug, these are the logical results, let him who has wisdom understand.
Unfortunately,these barbaric cardres including their leaders cannot take any advice. To them, Sata is their God and they are all behaving like vultures because each and everyone of them wants to be heard and known that they exist. Fortunately, right now they have got no one to accuse from the opposition side because they were on their own. If members of the opposition were nereby, the story could have been different and people could have been getting different stories from the news makers. The true colours of the PF (Populist Fighters) are now reflecting they do not uphold peace and harmony but fights and killings which is part of their life and upbringing.
Sure true, if anyone disagrees with president HH on this one, then that person has no right to live in Zambia. This madness must come to an end it is simply unacceptable.
ok nice one…smile some kaili…and those jackets dont know weather…how come you are always packing a jacket badala…2016…lol
Hats off, Mr President i salute you for your wise words.Sata nakota elyo mulwele for give me.
I NOW UNDERSTAND WHY WYNTER WAS ADVOCATING FOR AFRICAN STATES TO PULL OUT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC). He will very soon appear before the ICC.
With his partner GBM
Those who think using other parts of the body than their heads will blame HH disregarding the sense out this speech. I would boldly say this is the right time if any for political parties to condemn violence. These poor souls are being used by Satanists who are ready to shed blood to fulfill their selfish ends. We must be annoyed with everyone who has ruled this country before including the mutated MMD party in the name of PF. We cannot keep on lossing people at the hands of these semi literate Kaponya leadership and we keep quite. This SATA should come out in the open and condemn the violence if he is not the author of it.
Ba HH you now want to take Chipimo’s way of writing articles. Will you ever get tired of copying. Find your own unique styles if you want us to believe. That idea of 1 this 2 that is for Chipimo. Your idea is ……… feel in the blanks.
Yaba ! Who is Chipimo?
What a dummy you are. So in your head, all people who number their points are copying Chipimo?
The hate you harbour towards Hichilema shouldn’t lead to this. He’s like an itch to you, you just gotta scratch. Always trying to find a problem with him lol, now you’ve resorted to how he structures his wording. Pathetic you are mate.
Thank God someone is standing out to provide leadership at this crucial time. Thumbs up Mr HH! Where is Sata kanshi?
UPND caused bloodshed in mapatizya. What is HH talking about today? All parties should not condone violence. Fire William Banda if you don’t believe in violence.
But that was Inter-Party and not Intra-party. If people can maim their fellow party members like that, what more with those from other parties? It’s a shame my brother/sister. If my memory serves me well, no one died in Mapatizya but here a number of people lost their lives, forget about the polece report of one dead.
@Chipuba chesu … it is called a dress rehearsal. Remember even the Reich practiced his vice somewhere in Africa before he rained it on his intended target. Unfortunate as it sounds… the PF seem to be reading the wrong historical accounts.
Bonse muli fipuba
you speak sense apa mwandi hh,may be just may be I can vote of you, but first renounce your tribalism ka.
JUST DEREGISTER PF.
TRIBAL SENTEMENT WILL NEVER TAKE AS ANYWERE,AM BEMBA BUT WITH WHAT IS GOING ON IN PF I CAN ASSURE YOU HH HAS MY VOTE,THIS VIOLENCE SHOULD BE CONDEMED BY ALL WELL MEANING ZAMBIAN INCLUDING OUR FIRST LADY AND PEOPLE CLOSE TO HIM.WE KNOW SATA HIMSELF HAS CAUSED THIS LET HIM ALONE PUT IT OFF.
Iam urging all hardware stores to stock up on Pangas,machetes and axes so that these weapons are easily obtainable by the PF(Paya Farmer)rogues for them to keep killing each other and reduce their numbers.
I have no sympathy for the dead or injured PF thugs,it is good riddance.
God is answering our prayers!
Are you sure you will contain that weaponry within PF … and that you will control who defines friend or foe? Be careful what you wish for.
THIS SPEECH WAS SUPPOSED TO START WITH THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, I NOW REALIZE WHY MOST ZAMBIANS ARE CALLING THIS PERSON TO BE THE HEAD OF STATE.
I have siad it here before,the quality of leadership is reflective of the quality of the electorate.
What really happened for Zambia to find herself straddled with an idiot in state house?
Does it mean majority of Zambians are i.d.i.o.ts since they have an i.d.i.ot president?
yes we are idiots for not standing up against evil and for expecting economic boom from an illiterate who we can’t even entrust to run a supermarket!!
Jo and Gen you are both a big disappointment to the whole world, and that includes both your parents. People have been injured while others have died, and someone speaks serious and very sensible words, all you can think about is tribal hatred! Be serious for once, is it because none of your relatives is affected? I am so ashamed even for the head of state. For Sata to keep so cool and quiet about this national issue is very disappointing. I really regret having been a member of PF and I think this is where I quit! May God console those that are nursing their loved ones and more so, those that are mourning.
i SURELY FEAR FOR ZAMBIA, HOW WILL 2016 BE?ARE THE PEOPLE IN POWER ABLE TO GIVE UP POWER SUPPOSE THEY LOSE?PLEASE LET US PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY, FOR OUR LEADERS FOR HEVENLY WISDOM AND DIVINE HEALTH.
Sensible statement and good advice. Yabutali ubonela kozi kwahule!
Let us appreciate what HH is saying. Trible, regional, or what ever way of dis grading someone can not help. After all those who died no one knows which tribe they are coming from. But we all know that they are Zambians. So in this line, let foolishness from Jo and Gen be condemned by all well meaningful Zambians. We are one. Thanks HH for your concern and wise words. God bless you and God bless mother Zambia.
The Opposition is like that there is no By Election in Lusaka. Otherwise the police would have been looking for HH and UPND officials as the ones who caused the death of the PF cadre.
I meant to say luck.
You meant to say lucky not luck. How do you tyola twice?
All about trying to become the president of this nation. Taking advantage of every situation. Mapathizya, Mufumbwe, Livingstone will forever haunt you. You have William Banda who chided in chopping off people’s buttocks and ears with African pangas and yet you have given him a warm embrace. One finger pointing at your friend, three fingers back at you. Advanced minds know how deeply you hate bembas. No matter how much you try to hide, it always exhibits in your face. When bembas were killed in Tonga land by “Tongas for oath” or whatever, you remained mute. Such diabolical personality is more evil. Previously you had opposing views with RB, William Banda and many more. Today they are your buddies. All in futile attempt have more votes. Sata was your ally, now you are his enemy. Explain…
The story we got is that Kaunda drove past mutilated bodies while Sata flew over the carnage. So no-one is surprised about the Sata or KK’s silence. They were briefed and knew everything that was to unfold except none of them knew the extent to which violence will be taken. lets remember Sata is an extremely violent person who served a prison sentence for murder in the 1959. Kaunda killed countless Zambia opponent during his one-party rule and so PF symbol of a clenched fist only sums it up of the type president we are dealing with.
This nation needs true leadership at the moment, to ensure this does not escalate into something else. Calling upon HE M C Sata or those who can speak to him to address the root cause of this problem. It may be the right time for him to meet Winter and GBM, to make it clear to both that the nation is bigger than the two. He has to address the nation in person and not through Chella, with his Bwinjifumu touch of responding to important issues. At some point PF will need to act as the ruling party and bring this nonsense to a closure.
We are really getting concerned with ruling part political violence. Who is behind and why can it not be stopped. Let hear the wisdom from this political leader. For those who think there is no substance in this press release please try to sense From your assumed nosense speech. There is a lot of sense and wisdom.
Its sad for the affected families but if you can recall the livingstone fracas HH kept silent when a pf youth was murdered and does he care now? This man is really an opportunist and he only wants to get to state house..i for one wont vote 4u ba saa!!
Energies put to good use will support the economical agenda of the country with clear positions and policies on key issues and should not be driven by blind loyalty or allegiance.
Teaching the people to be usefully peaceful and relevant will help the country to focus and carefully plan even for same in creation of values and employment situations that are lasting and of value giving no time for such activities.
We seem to have a different perception of carderism and in most cases not attached to the national prosperity chiefly because of shorterm view and lack of exposure and understanding that its we being served and not a favor.
Cadres with a national social economic…
Had it been in UPND where such fracas happened, all the top leaders would have been in jail so fast that they would not even have time to brush their teeth.
Voices need to be raised on a continuous basis regarding the ever increasing impunity of daring the police and the public by armed gangs dressed/named in their political parties.
Whether MMD, PF, UPND etc, violence begets more violence.
HH’s speech is extremely mature and sober. It would be honurable if he maintained this resolve in the upcoming by-elections.
Sorry to the fallen comrades, was it worth it guys? Really? And please don’t plan on revenge attacks…..such is a vain and bloody route to take!
I agree with Mr. Zulu. HH’s statement is very mature and sober. We need to give credit where it is due.
Where is Sata in all this? Why is he not saying anything about this thurgery behavior?
We are in trouble with this Sata in state house who’s surrounded by idiots….Mmembe, Kabimba and GBM. Most of this is due to these perpetrators of violence. They need to be locked up. And Mmembe will be writing a useless and silly editorial in his useless POST (paper).
Kangoma ko bilikila sika chedwa kufyaika.sata had a lot of noise but now is nowhere.why cant punish such stupidity.
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