CCZ urges President Lungu to weigh-in on violence

The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has appealed to President Edgar Lungu to exercise his authority as head of State to address the political violence urgently with seriousness and impartiality before the country becomes ungovernable ahead of the elections

CCZ president Bishop Dr. Alfred Kalembo in a statement says if political violence is not addressed, the country is at risk of allowing machete wielding youths dressed in military regalia to intimidate the electorate during the forthcoming elections a development which will affect the outcome of the elections.

Bishop Kalembo notes that the continued political violence is a clear indication that the pledge to end vice made by political parties during the interparty indaba convened by the church is not being honored.

He says the CCZ has observed that the political environment has become increasingly volatile to the extent that it has diverted government’s attention from focusing on issues of improving people’s lives through developing the nation.

Bishop Kalembo says the CCZ has noted that many political parties are still using hate speech for intimidation, while party cadres dressed in military regalia are usually armed with weapons such as machetes, pangas and iron bars often used to attack each other.

He says the CCZ is appealing to Zambians to refrain from engaging in violence because of their political differences.

Bishop Kalembo has further appealed to the Zambia Police Service to take its rightful position as a law enforcer to maintain peace and protect the lives of the citizens which are endangered by the prevailing political violence.