President Edgar Lungu says he is saddened by the death of six Catholic Church choir members who perished in a road traffic accident on the Kitwe-Chingola road.
And President Lungu has directed Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja to disarm party cadres.
In a statement issued by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Isaac Chipampe, Tuesday, President Lungu said it was sad that the choir members perished because a truck was left on the road.
He directed the Road Traffic and Safety Agency (RTSA) and police to develop a culture of clearing roads of vehicles that had broken down on the roads saying it posed a danger to motorists.
“His Excellency Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu President of the Republic of Zambia is saddened by the tragic death of six catholic church choir members who perished in a road traffic accident on the Kitwe -Chingola road on Monday 7th October,2019,” read the statement.
“Regarding the accident in Chingola, the President implored the Road Transport and Safety Agency RTSA and the police to frequently check on the roads to clear broken down vehicles that pose danger to motorists. It is sad that that people perished because a truck was left on the road for a long time. RTSA and police must develop a culture of clearing roads of vehicles that have broken down the president directed. The President wished the inquired quick recovery and that his thoughts are with the bereaved families.”
And President Lungu has sent a message of condolences to the family of the PF member Petronella Bowa who died on Monday after an illness.
The President said Bowa was a dedicated member of the Patriotic Front who would be missed by the entire party.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Monday, Chipampe stated that President Lungu expressed concern that political activists suddenly carried guns, asking Kanganja to disarm them.
He described the killing of a UPND cadre in Kaoma and wounding of others on Sunday as “numbing and absolutely detestable”.
“His excellency Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu president of the republic of Zambia has described the killing of a man in Kaoma and the wounding of others amidst political violence as numbing and absolutely detestable. Commiserating with the family of the deceased and the wounded the president says no Zambian deserves to die for politics. All Zambians should be concerned about the frequent violence each time elections are held,” read the statement.
“The president has since directed the inspector General of Police to take full control of the mayoral elections in Kaoma and other areas where elections are taking place. The president is concerned that political activists suddenly are carrying guns and has directed that all armed should be disarmed and the culprits of Sunday’s ugly events must be apprehend and prosecuted regardless of their political belonging. This is not Edgar Lungu’s issue. This is not a government issue. It is not just a PF and UPND issue. This is a Zambian issue that we should all care about. Fair minded people should be concerned.”
He advised the police to prepare adequately for the 2021 general elections.
“Police should also get ready for the general elections in 2021.People should respect democracy and let popular candidates take the day instead of intimidating people to vote for their candidates,” stated President Lungu.
