In this audio, Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Mwila says the ruling party welcomes the dropping of the charges against UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema as it proves that the Judiciary is independent.

In a statement issued by PF media director Sunday Chanda today, Mwila said the independence of the DPP and the Judiciary has been demonstrated.

“We welcome the decision as it is a show of independence of our institutions such as the Directorate of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and Judiciary. We must never lose sight of the rule of law which emphasizes that no one is above the law. We further wish to remind that a Nolle Prosequi is not an acquittal. It is a Nolle. But most importantly for us in the PF is the independence of the DDP and Judiciary demonstrated” Mwila noted.

“This would never have happened in a dictatorship. We are not a dictatorship. We do not aspire to be one. We’ll never be one. We are democrats in word and deed.”

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Mwila hailed the church and other stakeholders who had shown genuine concern about the state of the nation.

“Let me thank all those like the Church and Commonwealth Secretary General, among others, who genuinely took keen interest in Zambia’s peace and stability. PF will always be committed to uniting Zambia beyond partisan, religious, tribal, gender lines,” he said.

Mwila urged HH to remain committed to the call for talks and promotion of peace and unity in the country.

“On a political level, people expect that the UPND leader will not abandon the commitment to democracy, but accept defeat and recognize the election and authority of President Edgar Lungu without reservations. We hope beyond this development, UPND will not fall for the agenda of anti-Zambia elements whose objective is to auction Zambia to the highest bidder. We expect the Opposition Party to engage us in development politics as we march towards 2021 elections. No Zambian wants to live in the past. We have a future to collectively build and protect,” said Mwila.