By Agness Changala
The Zambia Police Service has warned that anybody who ignores the warning issued to Given Lubinda PF faction, will face the full wrath of the law.
Speaking to Daily Revelation, Zambia police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said whoever will not abide by the police warning, should blame no one but themselves.
He said the police will not tolerate anyone abrogating the law and destabilizing peace.
“That warning should be taken seriously. Anyone who wants to ignore it will do that at their own risk. Anybody who won’t abide will face the full wrath of the law. We don’t want anyone to do anything that will destabilize the peace in the country,” warned Hamoonga, after the PF responded to his statement in which he warned the party for alleged intentions of destabilizing the country.
But the PF in their statement has told the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and Police to abandon the known schemes being pushed by the State House to prevent the party from participating in the upcoming by-elections.
Last week, Hamoonga stated that the police had been closely monitoring activities associated with Lubinda’s faction and it had come to their attention that certain individuals within the group may be planning actions that could pose a threat to public order and safety.
He stated that such actions are not only unlawful but also undermine the democratic values and the rule of law that society upholds.
Hamoonga stated that the Zambia Police Service as a law enforcement agency is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, and any attempts to disrupt the peace will be met with the full force of the law.
He stated that the police will take all necessary measures to prevent and address any potential acts of violence or attempts to destabilize the peace.
Hamoonga has urged members of the PF faction led by Lubinda to adhere to the principles of peaceful and lawful expression of their grievances.
“Resorting to violence or any form of destabilizing activities will not be tolerated, and those found in violation of the law will be held accountable,” he stated.
The police spokesperson also called on all citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to this matter.
He stated that public cooperation was essential in maintaining the security and stability of the nation.
Hamoonga stated that The Zambia Police Service will continue to monitor the situation closely and will take appropriate action to preserve the peace.
“We are committed to working with the citizenry to ensure that our country remains a safe and secure place for all,” stated Hamoonga
Responding to the police statement, Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba, who is also Information and publicity chairperson stated that, “we are rather surprised by an alarming statement issued by the Zambia Police and attributed to Police Spokesperson, Mr. Rae Simalambo Hamoonga. We must emphasize that the Patriotic Front has no factions as purported by Moonga (sp) and the State planted stooge in the Party masquerading as its leader, will definitely be evicted in due course,” Mwamba stated.
He stated that Zambians have so far noted, that despite extreme provocation made against his party by the State and their sponsored stooge, the Patriotic Front leadership has consistently sought civil and legal means to seek Justice.
“We have sought redress with the Zambia Police, Parliament, Registrar of Societies, the Courts of Law and other institutions. It must be said that since the State embarked on orchestrated attacks and atrocities against the Patriotic Front, the party has appealed to institutions of democracy to honour the Rule of Law and deliver Justice,” Mwamba stated.
He stated that despite the apparent futility and setbacks the party may have suffered so far by this route, they have always remained civil in their approach.
Mwamba however, stated that the State has continued to occasion atrocities against his party in an unrelenting manner.
He gave an example of the ECZ which had issued, through a letter dated December 13, 2023, illegal rules regarding the upcoming ward by-election in Mayembe Ward in Shiwangandu, Kapamba Ward in Mpika and Kayo Ward in Mwansabombwe districts.
Mwamba stated that such illegal actions perpetrated by state institutions, which the Constitution mandates and expects to be neutral and independent, threaten the peace and security of the country.
He emphasized that the State had engaged in extremely dangerous schemes against the PF, against democracy and against the Rule of Law and had continued to shrink the democratic, media and civil spaces.
Mwamba stated that the State had demonstrated that it will go to great lengths to attempt to steal, kill and destroy the Patriotic Front and help create a de facto one-party State.
He stated that this is a futile exercise as Zambians willingly chose to be a multi-party democracy.
“Coming to the Zambia Police, it has become an infamous tool being used to stoke threats to national peace and security, by engaging in activities that are taking away rights and freedoms of political parties, citizens by practicing lawlessness. We urge the Police and the ECZ to allow the due process of the law to prevail in the upcoming by-elections, and abandon the known schemes being pushed by the State House to prevent the Patriotic Front from participating in the upcoming by-elections. By issuing alarming, lawless and threatening statements, the Zambia Police is only going to endanger the very peace our country enjoys,” stated Mwamba.
