Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I start this press conference by wishing those who were injured during the attack at BIGOCA a speedy recovery. I further wish to assure them that as responsible citizens of this country we will not rest until the day the culprits will be held accountable.

Two weeks ago a senior member of the MMD was roughed up and beaten by the PF cadres in full view of the police. Just two days ago the PF cadres again attacked people that gathered to pray for this country and its leadership. This is slowly but surely becoming the order of the day under the PF administration.

The savagery attack on defenseless clergy, members of civil society, opposition political parties and members of the press in the place of worship must be condemned in the strongest possible manner.

As NAREP we condemn what happened in Matero and find it very disturbing and unbelievable that the PF has continued stepping on the rights of the innocent people. The function that was disrupted was neither a political rally nor political meeting but a special church service for men and women of God who had gathered to pray for the many man-made problems this country is facing.

[pullquote]To the PF government, we implore you to, this time around stand up and own up to the misdeeds of your cadres and apologize to the nation and to the church and to the affected people with all seriousness it deserves.[/pullquote] We condemn the actions by the PF cadres and we wish to remind the republican president that he promised to govern this country based on the ten (10) commandments of the Holy Bible. Let this at least be one promise he makes every effort to keep. What we have witnessed in the recent passed is however the exact opposite to what the bible teaches us. Mr. Sata and the PF government have refused completely to listen to the cries of the many Zambians who are struggling to put a meal on the table. The people of Zambia who gave the PF a mandate to govern this country have rejected this violent, aggressive and non-consultative type of leadership by the PF government and it must now be clear even to the PF that it has failed.

We remind the secretary general of the PF Mr. Wynter Kabimba and the PF administration that Zambia does not belong to the few individuals benefiting and having more money in their pockets but to the many Zambians who are not able to afford a decent meal. The PF must be reminded that no political party comes to stay in government. We had UNIP and MMD that held power; the Zambian people were lied to for the sake of getting votes. Bear in mind that your time will come when you will be made to account for your action.

The PF government should tell us if what we are seeing now is the jobs that the youth were promised in 90 days. We cannot continue using innocent young people to attack harmless men and women of God out of pure selfishness. The PF must be assured that sending thugs to attack innocent people is not going to solve the problems that this country is facing. The PF must stop politicking and attacking people and concentrate on delivering development.

As a party that believes in its core values, we hereby register our disappointment and lack of trust in the Zambia Police that is now being used as a security wing of the Patriotic Front. We call upon the Inspector General of police Stella Libongani and her deputy Dr. Solomon Jere to choose between enforcing the law or to resign on moral grounds as they have completely failed to conduct themselves professionally from the time they were appointed to these positions.

As a woman and no doubt a mother, surely her heart should bleed at the events of last week. We wish to remind the police that you are there to protect the citizens of this country and not the PF cadres who are busy beating innocent people. The people of Zambia will never be safe if the police remain toothless or use their powers to frustrate bus drivers and other ordinary citizens who are merely trying to make a living.

We ask the PF to reflect on and remember the reasons they were ushered into power in 2011 and stop stepping on the rights of innocent people. We further wish to remind them that Zambia was declared a Christian nation and therefore we should respect the church regardless of the situation. The PF should allow citizens to gather and worship without any fear.

We demand that the police launch an investigation on the Matero incident and bring the culprits to book without any delay or political interference. We demand for justice and professionalism from the police service in following up this matter.

NAREP would love Mr. Sata to retire and leave in peace come 2016. We will respect, look after him as former head of state, as we embark on creating a new Zambia.

To the PF government, we implore you to, this time around stand up and own up to the misdeeds of your cadres and apologize to the nation and to the church and to the affected people with all seriousness it deserves.
We call upon all well-meaning Zambians and Christians to condemn what the PF is doing and continue praying to God for his intervention before the situation in our country gets out of hand.
Thank you and God be with you.

CHARLES MABOSHE
NAREP VICE PRESIDENT

POLICE in Lusaka are vigorously searching after the youths who stormed the Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA) in Matero on Friday and disrupted a Black Friday meeting organised by some civil society, politicians and some church leaders after they beat up activists and journalists.

Lusaka Province Commissioner Charity Kasosa said police were making progress in the investigations as they were now in possession of a video tape which they would view to ascertain what transpired.

She said in an interview yesterday that necessary steps would be taken after the viewing of the tape that was now in the custody of the police.

Dockets had been opened after two people reported being assaulted on Friday and were issued with police medical forms to enable them seek medication.

She, however, said police were still waiting for the two among them a Zambia News and Information Services staffer who had not returned to the police after seeking medical attention so that the police could record statements from them.

The Boston University African Presidential Centre has sent return air tickets to enable Former Republican President Rupiah Banda to travel to South Africa for the 2013 African Presidential Roundtable which begins on Wednesday, 5th June, 2013.

According to the Deputy Administrative Assistant in Mr Banda’s office, Kennedy Limwanya, the former Head of State’s scheduled trip of Tuesday, 4th June, hinges on the court ruling tomorrow regarding the release of his passport which is in the custody of the Government Joint Investigative Team.

Mr Limwanya said in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today that the former President and one aide have been booked on South African Airways flight SAA 0063 to depart Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on Tuesday and return to Lusaka shortly after the event that will be held at Constitution Hill in the Winnie Mandela Courtyard.

He also indicated that Boston University President –in- Residence attaché William Twayigize has assured Mr Banda of VIP security to be provided to him upon arrival at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Mr Limwanya noted that according to Twagiyize, the State protocol will allocate one security officer and one medical doctor to stay with Mr Banda throughout the round table event.

He said that all former heads of state to attend the Presidential Roundtable under the theme “The Cost of Democracy” have been booked at Westcliff Hotel.

Mr Banda has been invited to make a presentation at the 2013 African Presidential Roundtable on what Western countries can do to provide assistance in facilitating the electoral process in Africa and what the current generation of leaders need to do to further stability and democracy on the continent and in their own countries.

ZANIS

National Restoration Party (NAREP) Vice President Charles Maboshe has called on the Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani and Deputy Inspector General of Police Solomon Jere to relinquish their positions if they cannot work professionally.

Mr Maboshe said it is sad that violence has taken toll in Zambia amidst police presence and in avoidable situations.

He said the Zambia police are seemingly becoming toothless and alleged that they have failed to perform according to their roles in many instances but have taken political sides.

Speaking at the NREP Party secretariat in Lusaka today, Mr Maboshe said it is unfortunate that the police have concentrated on harassing bus drivers who are making effort to feed their families than curbing violence and crime in the country.

He remained the police that their duty is to uphold law and order as well as to protect life and property of the general citizenry.

Mr Maboshe said NAREP will not rest until they ensure that perpetrators of violence are brought to book especially in the recent event in Matero township where worshipers where beaten at BIGOCA as they gathered to pray against governments decision to remove subsidies on fuel and maize.

He said it is disheartening to note that in a country which is considered as a Christian nation Christians cannot be allowed to pray, a situation he said is the opposite of the bible teachings.

He added that some Zambians who voted for the PF government have categorically denounced the behaviour of the unruly cadres.
He also said the youths of Zambia are saying no to violence and no longer want to be used as objects of violence for selfish gains.

Mr Maboshe has since called on President Sata to come out in the open and condemn the violence which occurred in Matero by alleged PF cadres.

The NAREP Vice President has also reminded those in government and anyone inciting violence that there is no permanent situations as governments come and go.