HH warns UPND members against engaging in violence

HH addressing a rally in Choma yesterday

United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has warned UPND members that the party will not take kindly to any member resorting to violence.

Mr Hichilema in a statement availed to QFM News says reports suggesting that the UPND is causing any form of violence in some parts of the country are regrettable and must be condemned in the strongest terms.

Mr Hichilema says the UPND recognizes the need for all political parties to learn to co-exist.

He says political parties instigating and causing violence must be condemned in the strongest terms and that Police must arrest perpetrators.

Mr Hichilema has appealed to UPND members to preach peace and love to one another even in the face of extreme provocation from those in the ruling party.

The UPND leaders states that his party is aware of a ploy by the ruling party to allegedly instigate fear and panic among citizens before and after elections, tactics they have allegedly learnt from a neighboring country known for political violence in the face of a looming shocking defeat in next week’s presidential election.

Mr Hichilema says the UPND calls upon political parties to take responsibility and ensure that they restrain their cadres from perpetrating any acts of violence in order to protect property and lives of innocent Zambians.

He has further called on the Zambia Police not to remain mute and put a blind eye to those inciting and committing these election crimes.

Mr Hichilema adds that it is not too late for the Zambia Police Service to ban all offensive weapons like pangas and knifes from being sold on the streets until after the elections.

He says Police must come down very strongly on those using these weapons, and has also called for an amnesty and withdraw of all offensive weapons from those carrying them.