By STEVEN ZANDE –
PEOPLE’S Redemption Party (PRP) president, Gerry Sikazwe has called on political leaders to discipline violent members in their various political parties.
Mr Sikazwe said political party leaders should discipline violent members to avoid causing confusion ahead of the August 11, general elections.
He said in an interview that politicians should conduct peaceful and mature campaigns because failure to do so could result in loss of life and property
He said that Police should ensure that acts of violence were quickly stopped because if left unchecked, political violence could plunge the country into chaos.
“Political party leaders should instill discipline and order among their supporters, that is the only way we can stop the escalation of political violence,” Mr Sikazwe said.
He said politicians should realise that a party is elected to public office by selling itself to the electorate through vigorous campaigning and not by sponsoring violent attacks against rival parties.
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections (JCTR) director Leonard Chiti said political parties should desist from using youths in perpetrating violence.
Father Chiti said certain politicians had taken advantage of vulnerable and unemployed youths and were using them to perpetuate violence to help them win  elections.
He said political leaders should instead condemn violence because Zambia was a Christian nation.
Fr Chiti urged politicians to discipline members in order to instill confidence in citizens ahead of the August general elections.
“Zambia is a peaceful country, as a faith-based organisation we urge political parties to prevail over their party members because this is no time to tear the country apart,” he said.