By JAMES KUNDA –

THE Ministry of Home Affairs has challenged politicians to help spearhead an atmosphere of peace during campaigns for the forthcoming general election.
Home Affairs Permanent Secretary, Chileshe Mulenga said politicians should be in the forefront of ensuring that campaigns are peaceful as Zambia is known to be a beacon of peace.
He said this in Lusaka yesterday when he featured on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) programme called National Watch.
The programme also featured United Party for National Development (UPND) Choma Central Member of Parliament Cornelius Mweetwa and Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) spokesperson Raphael Nakachinda.
“I appeal to political party leaders to ensure that they are in the forefront of promoting peace and co-existence during campaigns.
Political party leaders should ensure that their cadres uphold peace during campaigns because Zambia is known for that world over,” Dr Mulenga said.
He reaffirmed that Police is impartial in the execution of duty, particularly the application of the Public Order Act (POA).
Reacting to concerns raised by Mr Mweetwa and Mr Nakachinda over the alleged partiality of the Police Service, Dr Mulenga said the law enforcement wing operated professionally and without orders from the Executive.
“The Police is a professional institution, which operates impartially and without orders from any Government official.
“Zambia is run on the basis of the rule of law and the POA exists simply to avoid anarchy and disorder during public gatherings,” Dr Mulenga said.
He assured that perpetrators of public anarchy would not be tolerated regardless of political party affiliation as the law was non-selective.
Mr Mweetwa and Mr Nakachinda emphasised the need for the POA to be amended, while pledging that their parties would uphold peace before, during and after the August 11, polls.