Rainbow Party leader Wynter Kabimba says there is no obtaining situation which is a threat to national security to warrant a declaration of a state of emergency.

Kabimba in an interview stated the need for those in power to wait for police to conclude investigations on the cause of the fires at some selected public buildings before making alarming statements.

“I don’t think that there is a situation now obtaining which is a threat to the security of the nation that would warrant declaring a state of emergency whether in one part of the country or in the whole country. We have to establish who is responsible for those arsons, is it a Zesco power failure, is it coming from deliberate intentions to commit arson? Kabimba asked.

“That is why it is good sometimes for those in power or authority to wait until investigations have been conducted and concluded. I saw the one in Kabwe where the Minister for Central province was directing the police to find the culprits. How do you know that there are culprits when investigations are still being conducted? How do you know if this may not just be a natural cause?”

Kabimba also reiterated his call for Home Affairs Minister to leave matters of police operations to the police.

“That is why last time you heard me making a comment about minister [Stephen] Kampyongo, I said can he leave matters of police operations to the police! You can’t go, as a politician you just find some building burnt down or maybe from these contracts they are giving in a corrupt manner to unqualified people and then you start saying they are culprits. Once the police have investigated the matter and conclude their investigations, then you can give a comment,” said Kabimba.

Last week, President Edgar Lungu warned that he would declare a state of emergency in areas where there was trouble if he was pushed to the wall.

Addressing Livingstone residents shortly after arriving at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula Airport, President Lungu said those setting public buildings ablaze were pushing him to consider declaring a State of Emergency.