Govt condemns political violence

Government has condemned in the strongest terms, incidents of violence reported in some parts of the country in the ongoing campaigns for the January 20 presidential election.

Chief Government Spokesperson Joseph Katema in a statement to QFM says it is unfortunate, unZambian and unacceptable, that violence wants to rear its ugly face in a peaceful and democratic country in which everyone has a right to associate with a party of their choice.

Dr Katema has stressed that violence has no place in Zambia’s flourishing democracy which provides for diversity in views and political persuasions.

He says the ongoing campaigns should be about ideas on how each political party wishes to improve people’s lives and not physical confrontation, devoid of logic and tolerance.

Dr Katema has since urged all political cadres to be law abiding and avoid acts of provocation against each other in the ongoing campaigns.

He reiterates that Government does not condone acts of criminality under the guise of campaigning and that perpetrators of violence are warned that they will face the wrath of the law.

Dr Katema who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister says Government renews its commitment to ensuring that the forthcoming Presidential election is held in a peaceful environment devoid of any acts of violence.