UPND national Chairperson Mutale Nalumango says her party regrets the Lusaka City Market inferno and has called on Zambia Police to thoroughly investigate its cause.

And Patriotic Front Media Director Sunday Chanda has barred other party officials from making statements on this subject saying party Secretary General Davies Mwila will do so.

In a statement, Nalumango also warned against politicizing the issue.

“Our party, the UPND, wishes to state that we regret that part of the City Market, has been gutted by fire in the early hours of today. Of course at this stage, it would be too early to imagine or speculate the causes of the fire. We therefore call upon the Zambia Police forensic specialists and their Fire Department colleagues to take a professional and thorough look as to what could have caused this unfortunate incident. It is in the same vein that we call upon those that find comfort in politicizing such tragedies to lay off their hands and let independent professionals do their job unhindered,” said Nalumango.

“All Lusaka residents hold Lusaka City Market dear to their hearts because it’s a source of livelihoods to thousands of our Mothers and youths. It’s a complex that cuts across political, religious or ethnic divides and brings World class goods and services from far flung places such as Dubai, China and Europe, right at our doorsteps. This is how all Zambians value the City Market and we therefore call upon those vested with the responsibility of fire safety and security, which in this case is our Fire Department and the Police respectfully, to leave no stone unturned in establishing the causes of the fire break out at the market.”

And Chanda barred other party officials from making statements on the fire.

“Please note that the Patriotic Front Secretary General Mr Davies Mwila will issue a statement following the City Market fires. As such, no Party official will speak on this matter. Take this as official notification,” stated Chanda.

Meanwhile, Acting-President Inonge Wina this morning toured the market to ascertain the damage.

Acting-President Wina was in the company of Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo and Minister in the Office of the Vice-President Lawrence Sichalwe as well as Disaster Management Unit director Patrick Kangwa.