By DELPHINE ZULU –
THE Patriotic Front (PF) in Lusaka and on the Copperbelt has said the ruling party has remained peaceful and calm despite provocation from  opposition parties.
But the two provincial executives have now resolved that anyone found insulting President Michael Sata would be dealt with.
The party said its retaliation should not be misunderstood and perceived to be violence but as self-defence.
The ruling party says Mr Sata had endured severe insults from the United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema, some of which were defamatory.
At a joint press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, PF Lusaka provincial chairperson, Geoffrey Chuumbwe said the party had no problems with those criticising the Government but would not allow anyone to continue insulting the Head of State.
“We have no problems with people who are criticising the PF Government in any way and we shall always be tolerant, what we do not agree with are insults, lies and defamation, especially through the  internet,” Mr Chuumbwe said.
Lusaka PF information and publicity secretary Clement Katongo said all party members and supporters had been instructed to report any people posting malicious or insulting comments concerning the President on social media.
Mr Katongo said the party was ready to use all means available to bring to an end all insults being showered on the President and warned those doing so that they risked being traced and once found would be handed over to law enforcement agencies.
“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 people,” Mr Katongo said.
Copperbelt chairperson Stardy Mwale denied media reports that Mr Hichilema was forced to use the roof top at Sun FM Radio because PF cadres wanted to attack him.
Mr Mwale said the people who attacked Mr Hichilema and his entourage were not PF cadres but just citizens who were not happy with the opposition leader’s outbursts on the radio station.