THE Patriotic Front (PF) Copperbelt Provincial Chairperson Stardy Mwale has suggested that United Party For National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema and Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) president Fr Frank Bwalya could have been attacked by MMD members on the copperbelt.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Mr Mwale said the opposition should not always accuse and put blame on the ruling party whenever they are harassed when they come in the province.

“These people also have their own enemies, in fact UPND have mentioned themselves that their number one enemy was MMD, so what if it’s the MMD that harassed him, how does the number three enemy come in,” he said

He said there was need for opposition leaders to stop putting blame on Government but instead concentrate on explaining to the Zambia people what they will do when they come in power.

On Friday, the PF in Lusaka and Copperbelt Provinces dismissed claims by UPND president Hakainde Hichilema that he was attacked by PF cadres while featuring on a radio station in Ndola.

Mr. Clement Katongo said that their investigations carried out by the party had revealed that claims by the opposition party leader were not true.

Mr Katongo said findings by the party are that Mr Hichilema was attacked by ordinary citizens who were not happy with his attacks on President Michael Sata.

He said the PF on the Copperbelt was not even aware of Mr. Hichilema’s presence in Ndola because he was not a factor on the Copperbelt.

Mr. Katongo , who is also Lusaka Province Information and Publicity Secretary, said PF was the most peaceful party in Zambia.
He added that insults and defamatory stories on the president through on-line media was the worst form of violence.

A Constitution indaba comprising opposition parties and the Government seeking consensus on the Constitution making process is set for April 30.

Boniface Chembe the Executive Director for Southern Africa Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes-SACCORD, an organisation organizing the indaba has told ZNBC News by telephone that the Indaba will provide a platform for questions and responses in sticky issues regarding the Constitution making process.

Opposition parties have already written to government seeking a meeting, which they say should be chaired by President Michael Sata, to iron out issues regarding the process.

Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba has already welcomed the idea to hold the Indaba.

Mr Chembe says the meeting is expected to bring all stakeholders together and is expected to put them at the same level on where the process is coming from and where it is.

He said the meeting is also expected to discuss the way forward.

Government says it is closing-in on people who abuse the online publications to defame others in the name of freedom of speech.

Communication Minister, Yamfwa Mukanga says his ministry is working with security wings, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) to curb the vice.

Mr. Mukanga told ZNBC NEWS in interview that efforts are also being made to engage countries hosting people behind some of the online publications in the habit of defaming people.

Mr. Mukanga has also advised members of the public against taking advantage of democracy to defame others.

PF Lusaka Province Youth chairman, Kennedy Kamba on Friday challenged ZICTA and the police to trace and prosecute people in the habit of insulting President Michael Sata on some online publications.

Mr Kamba threatened to close down Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority offices for allegedly failing to locate people behind the online news sites that are anti-PF.

Mr. Kamba accused ZICTA management of failing to trace people who are behind the Watchdog, an online media publication.

Mr. Kamba said that ZICTA should be in a position to know the individuals publishing negative statements against the party and President Michael Sata.

And Lusaka province Information Publicity Secretary Clement Katongo said the party resolved to trace all individuals posting what he termed as malicious things, insults and defamatory comments on social and other media against the president.

“You may wish to know that for as long as someone is using their mobile phone registered in Zambia or laptop connected to any internet provider in the country, they will not run away or hide from their crimes,” Mr. Katonga warned.

He said the party has instructed members and supporters across the country to report anyone suspected to be posting malicious or insulting comments on the president.

Mr Katongo further explained that the party will report all culprits to the law enforcers but will not hesitate to deal with them if the law fails.

Mr. Katongo also urged law enforcement officers to deal with the people insulting the head of state through the media.

“If the law enforcers fail to deal with such internet criminals, we shall have no choice but to deal with them ourselves. Our party functionaries countrywide are on red alert on how to trace and deal with such criminals,” he said.

Ruling PF youths in Lusaka have threatened to close down Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority offices for allegedly failing to locate people behind the online news sites that are anti-PF.

PF Lusaka Province Youth Chairperson Kennedy Kamba has accused ZICTA management of failing to trace people who are behind the Watchdog, an online media publication.

Mr. Kamba told a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that ZICTA should be in a position to know the individuals publishing negative statements against the party and President Michael Sata.

He has since appealed to ZICTA to work hard and ensure that people behind the online malicious publications are exposed and should face the law.

And the PF on the Copperbelt has confirmed that its cadres attacked UPND President Hakainde Hichilema in Ndola last weekend.

Speaking at a joint media briefing with the Lusaka Province leadership in Lusaka, PF Copperbelt Province Chairperson Stad Mwale said that the PF is a peaceful party but is provoked with anyone who uses bad language against President Michael Sata.

Mr. Mwale who is also a member of the PF Central Committee said all opposition leaders visiting the Copperbelt should first get permission from the party failure to which their tours will not be successful.

And Lusaka Province PF Chairperson Geoffrey Chumbwe warned that anyone who will insult or use vulgar language against Mr. Sata will be the party’s number one enemy.

Mr. Chumbwe dismissed claims by FDD leader Edith Nawakwi that the PF administration has recruited 6,000 cadres into the Police Service.

Mr. Chumbwe said Ms. Nawakwi lied to the nation and that her statement has the potential to cause fear among citizens.