Cadres from the ruling PF and the opposition UPND have unanimously agreed to disarm.

According to a joint communique issued after leaders of the two parties held talks, all cadres that are in possession of arms should be disarmed in both UPND and PF

The parties agreed that the arms that should be put down include guns, machetes commonly known as pangas and other offensive weapons.

The two parties also resolved that party regalia that resembles military uniforms will not be allowed.

They also resolved that no cadre should move around wearing masks.

The two political parties further resolved that all markets and bus stations have with immediate effect been depoliticized.

Full remarks by UPND Deputy National Youth Chairperson Habeenzu Munji

Colleagues from the Patriotic Front (PF), Fellow Party Officials from the UPND, colleagues from the Media

Ladies and Gentlemen

On Wednesday, 18th July 2018, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) convened a meeting of stakeholders at its offices in Lusaka to discuss issues relating to political violence during the bye-elections for Lusaka mayor and other local government elections taking place throughout the country.

After deliberations at ECZ, it was resolved that the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) should hold a joint press conference to announce resolutions to end political violence. We the undersigned, having resolved to commit ourselves to peaceful elections, therefore resolve as follows:

1. We shall embark on a massive campaign to end violence;

2. All cadres that are in possession of arms should be disarmed in both UPND and PF. These arms include guns, machetes commonly known as pangas and other offensive weapons.NO cadre should move around wearing masks;

3. Everybody is free to wear party T-shirts, Chitenge or other party regalia without being beaten or harassed by cadres from competing parties. However, party regalia that resembles military uniforms will not be allowed.

4. We shall uphold high levels of tolerance in accommodating members from all political parties to freely move in their party regalia;

5. We shall uphold high levels of tolerance in accommodating fellow Patriotic Front(PF) and UPND members to freely move in their party regalia;

6. All markets and bus stations have with immediate effect been depoliticized.

7. All UPND members who have been chased from the bus stations and trading centers should be allowed to go back to those places with immediate effect without being intimidated; All collection of levies should be done by local authorities than party cadres

8. There should be no hate speech or any other form of provocation. By this joint resolution, we direct all members of PF and UPND national wide to refrain from the use of hate speech and focus on issue based politics;

9. All UPND and PF youths have been directed to stop moving with offensive weapons with immediate effect;

10. The Zambia Police should act professionally, firmly and fairly against all law breakers regardless of political affiliation. We shall support the idea of having a professional and ethical police service which shall enforce the law equitably, including the Public Order Act. The failure by the police to protect citizens against violence has resulted in conflict.

11. There should be fair coverage by the public media for all political parties. Biased media coverage has created tension in the country. We call upon the ZNBC, Zambia Daily Mail and Times of Zambia to give equal coverage to all political players.

12. There shall be no use of motor vehicles that have number plates or bearing similar numbers like ECL 2021 or HH 2021.

Lastly, we believe that we have only one Zambia and we need to jealously safeguard the peace we have enjoyed over the years. We need to love one another, realizing that we tolerate politics in diversity.

We pray that God will unite us more than ever before, God bless the PF and the UPND, and God bless Zambia!!

Issued by:

Habeenzu Munji
Deputy National Youth Chairperson

Remarks by PF National Youth Chairman Stephen Kampyongo

The Patriotic Front Youth League’s presence here today is because we value peace, the sanctity of life and respect for public and private property.

The Youth League of the Patriotic Front seeks to reaffirm that it upholds the principle that while we can differ politically, this can be done without becoming personally disagreeable.

Our presence here demonstrates our understanding as the Patriotic Front Youth League that the plural politics we chose for ourselves was never designed to turn the different players into enemies of each other.

Our being here this morning is to demonstrate that we stand opposed to the view that a brother must rise against another brother, neither should any sister rise against a fellow sister.

In the words of scripture, Matthew 26:25, the Bible says “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “ for all who draw the sword will die by the sword”.

We are here today because our democracy is not premised on pangas and machetes. Our democracy is inspired by the great words in our national anthem: “One Land and One Nation is Our Cry. Dignity and Peace neath Zambia Sky…Land of work and joy in unity, all one, strong and free”.

His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has consistently instructed not just the Patriotic Party members but the nation at large to avoid the route of violence. In particular, President Edgar Lungu has directed that those who commit violence hiding behind the veil of political parties, irrespective of the justification, is criminals and irrespective of their political affiliation, they long arm of the law must reach them to face the consequences. President Lungu has guided all Party members that those found committing violence before, during and after elections, are on their own and should not expect to be shielded in any way. This he has said because he desires that Zambia remains a country of laws and not of men!

Allow me to salute the Electoral Commission of Zambia and their Chairperson in particular, for convening the Patriotic Front and United Party for National Development to address the issue of peace and non-violence ahead of the upcoming by-elections. We were properly guided and we urge them to remain pro-active and engaging of all players in the political space.

The country has witnessed incidences of violence especially coming from Chilanga and Lusaka District ahead of the Council Chairperson and Mayoral elections. Some of these incidences have resulted in the loss of life. We must cease the blame game and finger pointing as political leaders, take responsibility and act in order to entrench our democracy.

In this regard, the ruling Patriotic Front commits as follows:

1. To play our role in countering the threat of violence before and after it has occurred;

2. To co-operate with law enforcement agencies, in particular, the Zambia Police with investigations and assisting to bring culprits to book;

3. To engage very serious self-reflection, criticism and self-criticism whenever and wherever political violence involving our members happens;

4. We commit that all Patriotic Front leaders will use civil language during and after the campaigns and subsequent elections in order to properly guide our followers;

5. To ensure our structures and communities get involved in curbing violence and the threat thereof;

6. To promote co-existence within the rank and file by deepening democracy and mainstreaming on-going political education among our members;

7. To commit that Patriotic Front’s leadership will use every platform and opportunity to promote non-violence among our people.

Let me end by re-assuring Zambians at large that Patriotic Front is committed to peace and violent-free campaigns and elections because that has been our founding principle from the days of our late President Michael Chilufya Sata to today under President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

We have a duty to continuously and urgently engage structures and communities in affected areas and beyond in order to isolate and deal with those behind these barbaric actions. Indeed, as National Chairperson for Youth and Security, let me announce that all youth structures across the Country have been instructed to do just that. Our senior leadership will join forces with provincial and other lower organs to ensure this engagement is effective.

I thank you

The closure follows the inspection conducted by a team of Public Health Inspectors from LCC on 19th July 2018.

LCC Spokesperson George Sichimba said the inspection revealed that Pizza Hut was in possession of expired food products at their premises and evidence of use of expired food stuffs and ingredients in food production.

Mr Sichimba said Pizza Hut officials also gave false and misleading information to authorised officers and also attempted to obstruct them from inspecting the distribution point.

“In one of the outlets, workers went to an extent of concealing expired food items and ingredients in the ceiling of the shop. The above mentioned findings contravene the provisions of Food and Drugs Act Cap 303, Section 4,6 and Section 24(3)(4) of the Laws of Zambia,” he said.

Mr Sichimba said Pizza Hut has been given 24 hours in which to show cause why legal action should not be taken against them for put the lives of consumers at risk.

He said the three Pizza Hut outlets closed are located at Kabulonga Shopping Complex, Cosmopolitan Mall and East Park Mall.

“The Council also seized all the expired food stuffs and ingredients which included Hot Jalapeno slices, Mild piquante peppers diced, Indulgent choc sauce and Regular chip scoops,” he said.

“Others were Vegi wash, Halaal peri peri sauce, Halaal sweet chili sauce, Halaal dough and Halaal Macon sliced. The local authority wishes unscrupulous business houses to think twice about their actions as their days are numbered as the Council now has a reasonable number of Public Health Inspectors to do the job.”

He added, “The council has also advised consumers to develop a habit of checking for expired dates before buying food items. Any food items that are expired or suspected to be in questionable state must be immediately reported to Council for further investigations.”

President Edgar Lungu has reiterated that government does is not responsible for determining and fixing the maize floor price.

President Lungu said it is surprising that the opposition political parties are calling on government to dictate the maize price without involving farmers who grow the product.

The Head of State was speaking yesterday afternoon at Kasenengwa Primary school where he had gone to drum up support for the Patriotic Front (PF) council chairperson candidate Saul Zulu.

Mr. Lungu noted that the creation of Kasenengwa as a new district will bring about the much needed development in the area.

He stated that the district will get facilities that include a district hospital and schools to cater for the growing population.

The Head of State has since urged residents in the new district to come together and identify a place that will house the district offices.

However, President Lungu has castigated people that are fueling divisions in the Patriotic Front (PF) in Kasenengwa and further called for peace and unity in the party.

The President stated that he has received reports suggesting that the party has formed two groups consisting those that are said to belong to the late Kasenengwa Member of Parliament Victoria Kalima and those calling themselves PF.

The Head of State, who thanked all the candidates that had showed interest to stand, further advised the PF candidate Saul Zulu to embrace all party members especially those that had applied but were not selected.

He said Zambia is one hence all citizens should embrace the ‘One Zambia: One Nation motto.

The President has also praised the people of Kasenengwa for conducting peaceful campaigns and urged them to continue with the same spirit.

Speaking earlier, Members of Parliament from Luangeni, Mambwe and Sinda appealed to the electorates in the district not only to vote for the PF candidate but to also turn up in large numbers on day of voting.

The President was accompanied by the Presidential Affairs Minister, Freedom Sikazwe, Eastern Province Minister Makebi Zulu, Minister of Local Government Vincent Mwale, PF National Chairperson Samuel Mukupa, senior government and party officials.

The Kasenengwa election has been necessitude by the creation of the area as a district by President Edgar Lungu.