.LUNGU

By CHARITY MOONGA –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has condemned the escalating harassment, mockery and violence being perpetrated by suspected ruling Patriotic Front (PF) cadres and their United Party for National Development (UPND) counterparts.
Mr Lungu has since directed the police to immediately stop the political violence and harassment of UPND members by the PF members before it escalates to levels which will be difficult to address.
Mr Lungu was speaking at State House yesterday after a swearing-in ceremony.
He said violence had taken its toll and urged PF members to celebrate their victory in peace.
“The way PF are treating UPND members is unacceptable. To mock colleagues to the levels the PF cadres are doing now is beyond me.
“Harassing, mocking and insulting like that means we are not ready for democracy,” he said.
Mr Lungu’s administration would not condone violence and perpetrators regardless of their political affiliations would face the law.
He wondered why PF cadres were engaging in violence when their party was the one in power.
It was unacceptable for PF cadres to continue victimising opposition cadres and warned them to respect the rule of law and maintain law and order.
Meanwhile, Mr Lungu has noted that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has been magnanimous in the way he has handled the loss of the presidential election.
Mr Lungu has, however, condemned the continued campaigns that have continued in some parts of Southern Province.
“In Southern Province, some people are still campaigning but l wish to say that campaigns are over, it is now time to go back to work. Let us stop harassing each other. Let us put the election mood behind us and work,” he said.
Early this week, UPND president Hakainde Hichilema complained that his party had experienced widespread violence against its supporters.