INSPECTOR General of police Kakoma Kanganja says the Zambia Police has no plans of summoning UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.
Meanwhile, some UPND youths in Lusaka have vowed to camp at Hichilema’s residence in New Kasama area until August 12 to prevent police from arresting him.
But in a statement, Monday, Kanganja said if the police had intentions of summoning any person for any reason, they did that transparently because they had nothing to hide.
He further warned that anyone that would be found wanting for inciting the public through publication of falsehood or alarming statements would be dealt with in accordance with the law
“Another falsehood was propelled that the Police have plans to summon UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema, which is far from the truth. In instances where we have intentions of summoning any person for any reason, we do so transparently because we have nothing to hide. It is with this background that I want to caution politicians to be responsible as they do their politics as opposed to engaging in misconduct that may cause public disorder. Anyone that will be found wanting for inciting the public through publication of falsehood or alarming statements will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Kanganja warned.
He further stated that he was appalled that some politicians wanted to use falsehood to gain sympathy from the electorate as was in the case of Mkushi North UPND aspiring candidate Topson Kunda, who gave false information to the police that he had been shot in foot.
“It is appalling to note that some politicians want to take a route of using propaganda and falsehood to gain sympathy from the electorate as seen from the conduct of Mkushi North Constituency, UPND aspiring candidate Topson Kunda, who raised false alarm that he had been shot in the foot. His allegations almost sparked protests in Itala Compound. Politicians should bear in mind that my command will not tolerate irresponsible conduct which may bring about public disorder. It must be understood that giving false information to a public officer is a prosecutable offence; therefore, anyone found wanting shall not be spared,” Kanganja warned.
Meanwhile, some UPND youths in Lusaka have vowed to camp at Hichilema’s residence in New Kasama until election time.
UPND Lusaka Province youth chairperson Anderson Banda who led the youths said the youths would not sleep until the country was liberated from the PF.
“HH is a Zambian, he qualifies to be on the ballot whether Kampyongo, Lungu or anyone else likes it or not. We Zambians and the youths have seen that there is quality leadership in him, we have no option but to rally behind his leadership. We are here today from yesterday and we will be here until president HH is voted in as the Republican President on 12th August. This time around we are not going to leave HH alone. Wherever he will go, we will go with him. Whatever you are planning, you are going to fail because before you meet him, you are going to meet us. You want to arrest HH, poison him and later on he falls sick and then you say ‘we told you that he is sick’. We are aware of what you are planning, HH is 100 percent fit,” Banda said.
“From yesterday we haven’t slept and we will not sleep until this country is liberated from the jaws of thieves, who don’t care about the lives of the youths. We are not going to sleep, we are going to protect HH until he is sworn in. We want to urge the Zambia police, we know a number of you are well trained and professional, we want to appeal to you that you are civil servants, these governments come and go. We had UNIP, we had MMD, now we have PF which is going. Our appeal to you is that can you search your conscience as you follow this political instructions from PF cadres. We want to tell the world that we are in high spirit because we have a leader who will care for this country. We will support him until this country is liberated.”
Banda said arresting Hichilema would bring chaos in the country.
“Why do you want to bring chaos in the country? You think that when you touch HH there will be peace in this country? This Zambia you are playing will be destroyed, whenever you want to touch HH. HH is loved by the Zambian people, he has protection of the Zambian people. You want to bring war in this country and we are saying no to that. Ba Lungu you have children and grandchildren, consider the lives and the plight of your children before you destroy this country, because you will be haunted. The best you can do Ba Lungu and your team, will you rescind your evil plans against innocent HH. Let the people speak through the ballot. We are not interested in war, we are not interested in confusion,” said Banda.