Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo says law enforcement agencies have been activated to deal with individuals seen splashing money in viral videos while dressed in PF regalia because it is a serious breach of the Zambian laws.

And Kampyongo says those opposing the Cyber Security Bill are enemies of the state.

At a press briefing, Wednesday, Kampyongo said there was no way genuine PF members could film themselves splashing cash in such a manner.

“One matter of interest, we have noted with great concern the videos that are circulating on social media of people splashing money, and whether cadres or pretending donning party regalia, we have activated our law enforcement agencies. The Zambia Police and the Drug Enforcement Commission whose mandate is to deal with issues of money laundering and how people should handle money. Because some of those videos that are circulating are in serious breach of the laws and my simple warning to those who want to use that either for propaganda purposes or indeed other mischievousness, because I don’t know of any political party that can engage in such activities,” Kampyongo said.

“And also speaking as a person responsible for the security of the Patriotic Front, we cannot condone that from anyone. Genuine members of the party to engage in such kind of lawlessness, just as we condemn violence, just as we are dealing with perpetrators of violence, those who are engaging themselves in such practices will face the full wrath of the law sooner than later. And that is why this afternoon we are going to parliament to ensure that the Cyber Security Bill gets to move from the second reading in order for it to be expedited and it becomes an act of parliament. Because those are the activities that we need to deal with using that law because it is very clear, it’s very categorical on factors that we need to deal with.”

And Kampyongo said only enemies of the state could oppose the Cyber Security Bill.

“So those who are complaining about this bill are the enemy of the state. They are enemies of the state because they want to embrace illegalities. We know of some political parties where they have created some platforms for propaganda. That, we won’t tolerate a country where everybody should just wake up and do as they please. We are a country of laws, so, those people who are engaging in such activities should know that their days are numbered,” Kampyongo warned.

Meanwhile, Kampyongo disclosed that the Citizenship Board had approved 309 bestowed citizenship out of the 653 who had applied and granted citizenship by registration to 604 established residents out of the 1,047 applicants.

“Let me take this opportunity to inform the nation through you on the progress made by the government on the implementation of the dual citizenship. First of all, let me use this opportunity to educate the Zambia people on the laws that govern citizenship and I know that this is very important for you members of the press because these are matters that you need to explain to your citizens. The current constitution has brought a new dimension to citizenship in Zambia by introducing dual citizenship. Article 39 of the current constitution provides that a citizen shall not lose citizenship by acquiring the citizenship of another country. Further, a citizen who lost citizenship before the current constitution by acquiring citizenship of another country, shall be entitled to be bestowed citizenship by the Citizenship Board. This act of bestow allows a citizen dual nationality whether he or she decides to claim citizenship of another country subject to whether that country permits citizenship,” said Kampyongo.

“To date, the Citizenship Board has approved over 309 bestowed citizenship applications out of the 653, and granted by registration to 604 established residents out of the 1,047 applicants. May I also take this opportunity to inform that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs with support for the International Organisation for Migration have developed guidelines in line with the diaspora policy and her honour the Vice-President madam Inonge Mutukwa Wina in April 2019. These guidelines will guide our citizens in the diaspora on how to access national documents such as national registration card, passports and citizenships. The process is pretty straight forward but you will also understand that there are some people who have gone to other countries and threw their documents and others might not even have a status where they are. And they want to find a way of legitimising their being in the diaspora. So, in scrutinising, we go to their documents.”