Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matinini has directed home affairs minister Stephen Kampyongo to issue a statement on PF cadres’ attacks on LAZ.

During business yesterday, Monze UPND member of parliament Jack Mwiimbu rose on a point of order, demanding government’s explanation on the attacks.

“Mr Speaker, the honourable Minister of Home Affairs has on so many occasions made statements on the floor of this House saying he is not going to allow members of the public who take the law into their own hands and that if members of the public want to demonstrate if they have any grievances, they have to obtain according to him ‘police permission’, [but] the PF cadres Mr Speaker, never obtained any permission from the police or notify the police as per law, the law I know. And in case some of you are in doubt that those were not PF cadres, the PF youths have issued a strong statement today saying they were exercising their democratic right to demonstrate,” Mwiimbu said.

“Is the honourable minister Mr Speaker, in order, having assured members of the public that he is going to ensure that law and order is maintained without discrimination, is he in order to allow a segment of the population of Zambia to take the law in their own hands with impunity and that when he was making a statement on lawlessness this afternoon, he did not refer to the misconduct of the PF cadres, is he in order Mr Speaker to remain quiet and this matter has disgraced this country, it’s an international issue members of the public are talking about it. Is he in order to remain quiet?”

In his ruling, Dr Matibini tasked the home affairs minister to issue a ministerial statement early next week.

“I will allow the honourable Minister of Home Affairs to issue a statement on the subject early next week,” ruled Dr Matibini.