By STEVEN ZANDE and JAJAH COULIBALY –
A CONSORTIUM of opposition parties has called on United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema to restrain his supporters from engaging in political violence to prevent further loss of life.
The four political parties are Christian Democratic Party (CDP), Zambia Republican Party (ZRP), New Congress Party (NCP) and the Citizens Democratic Party, all of which called on Mr Hichilema to emulate President Edgar Lungu who had publicly condemned violence among Patriotic Front (PF) supporters.
CDP president Dan Pule said it would be difficult for people to vote in the August elections if Mr Hichilema did not condemn violence in the UPND.
On Friday, UPND cadres clashed with the police after their Chawama rally was cancelled following security concerns and, in the confusion, a UPND supporter was killed.
Dr Pule said in an interview in Lusaka that Mr Hichilema should exhibit leadership over his supporters with a view to curbing political violence among them.
“We also urge cadres to refuse to be used as tools of violence. Violence will only lead to loss of innocent human life and property,” Dr Pule said.
He said Zambia was a Christian Nation which subscribed to biblical teachings which promoted peace and reconciliation above confrontations.
Dr Pule urged Mr Hichilema to stop UPND supporters from attacking members of rival parties or law-enforcement agents because such acts were against democratic and Christian tenets.
He commended the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for its decision to suspend the election campaigns in Lusaka and Namwala to curb further political violence in the two areas.
Meanwhile, ZRP president Wright Musoma said police should not be blamed for enforcing the law.
Mr Musoma said leaders who failed to tame cadres should be caged to avoid turmoil in the country which had enjoyed peace for more than 50 years.
NCP president Peter Chanda said the loss of life in the Friday fracas was regrettable.
Pastor Chanda urged citizens to adhere to instructions given by the police, because they were mandated to enforce the law.
Citizens Democratic Party president Robert Mwanza urged citizens to refrain from being used to fight other people as the country heads towards the elections.
He reminded citizens that violent leaders would not use their own family members, but deliberately engaged other people’s children to commit the acts of violence.