Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Mwila says it is unfortunate that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has politicised the tragedy that occurred at OYDC yesterday.

In a statement issued today, Mwila stated that the party would not heed to the blame game which Hichilema was initiating.

“We are aware of the statement made by Mr Hakainde Hichilema the leader of the opposition United Party for National Development, UPND in which he has chosen to politicise this misfortune and fallaciously heap blame on the PF government. We refuse to fall into the trap of giving Mr Hichilema the attention he is trying to seek as usual,” Mwila stated.

“We refuse to stop mourning and start responding to Mr Hichilema. The Bible says there is time for everything under the sun and for us, this time is for mourning. Time to respond to Mr Hichilema will come after we give the dead dignified funerals and offer the injured the attention they need.”

He said the party and the nation was mourning with the bereaved families.

“So our hearts go out to those in pain caused by injuries suffered in the stampede and those mourning their loved ones. Driven by this faith and conviction that human life is sacred and that every life carries the same dignity, we wish to register our profound sadness and regret at the death of 8 members of our national family in the stampede that happened yesterday, Monday 6th March 2017 at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) in Lusaka,”stated Mwila who also emphasized the need to institute a thorough investigation to find out why people died.

He also stated that government was on the ground offering assistance to the injured and the bereaved families through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU).