TONSE Pamodzi Alliance Presidential Spokesperson George Chisanga says the police should assure the safety of NRPUP members before they enter Southern Province.

Meanwhile, President Hakainde Hichilema has urged the people of Southern Province not to disrupt the activities of the Tonse Alliance as it begins its campaign tour of the province.

Speaking when he addressed the media, Saturday, Chisanga claimed that the alliance had been receiving threats of violence against its leaders once they entered Southern Province.

“We should have heard from the Inspector General of Police, assuring the nation. Not wishy-washy statements that we are hearing, which are being given in a general context. We should have heard decisive steps the police are going to take to make sure that our leadership is going to be protected if they enter Southern Province. More so because when we mobilize our own security, they are being arrested. Our own security right now. How are we going to get our leaders to go to Southern Province without the guaranteed protection, when we saw what happened in Western Province? Mr Mamba was in charge of that gang that came to Western Province to come and disrupt a validly convened right, without even showing any amount of respect to the people. So the police should make a statement to assure us that our leaders will be safe when they go to Southern Province,” he said.

“What we are receiving from Southern Province are threats of violence. What we are receiving from Southern Province are threats of killing our leaders. To an extent, right now as I’m speaking to you, phone calls are coming in on my phone. Everybody who is talking to us is pleading with us to spare the lives of our president, to spare the lives of our vice president. They are pleading with us. Please don’t let your leaders go to Southern Province. Pleading with us. You have made the point. We wouldn’t want any bloodshed in Southern Province. Right now, our leaders are sitting, trying to see if it’s worth it. We can’t ignore such kind of genuine concerns by members of the public. So our leaders are sitting right now, they are sitting to see if it is worth going to Southern Province. Our decision has been made, we are going to Southern Province. But to all of those who are speaking to us about the need for us to abandon this, we are listening to you. We share your concern”.

Chisanga added that the electoral process so far had been unfair.

“Frankly speaking, if we have a free and fair election and we don’t set off that election, who would respect the result? But not what we are going through right now. Who would be so foolish to accept the result when what we are going through is showing clearly that the electoral process so far has been unjust? But we know that the huge numbers of people that are attempting to vote is giving us so much confidence that we are winning this election. So don’t be intimidated, dear Zambians. Just stand up on that day and go and speak through your vote. That is what the Constitution gives you. I always remind Zambians that voting is not a right. Yes, it is enshrined in the law as a right. It is not a right, it is a duty,” said Chisanga.

“Because if the electorate decide to participate in the electoral process and the result of it is that idiots become your leaders, you will live with the consequences of a decision. Not the one participating in the vote. If you know that something is wrong in the country, and you must agree that everything in this country is wrong, you must decide you are going to stand up. You must decide you are going to cast your votes to make sure that the person that you believe in, or the individuals that you believe in, are the ones who are going to be given the mandate to run the affairs of the nation”.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema urged the people of Southern Province not to disrupt the activities of the Tonse Alliance as it begins its campaign tour of the province.

This is according to a statement issued by State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka.

“The Republican President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema calls upon all Zambians to continue conducting their political campaigns peacefully, responsibly and with mutual respect. He believes that democracy thrives when competing ideas are debated freely, citizens are persuaded rather than intimidated, and every political party is afforded an equal opportunity to seek the support of the people. As the opposition Tonse Alliance begins its campaign tour of Southern Province, the President particularly calls upon the people of the province not to disrupt their activities. Those with whom we politically disagree remain our fellow citizens. They enjoy the same democratic right to campaign, assemble and canvass for votes as every other political party. Their lawful political activities must not be obstructed or disrupted,” stated Hamasaka.

“Our democracy is tested not merely by how we treat those with whom we agree, but, more importantly, by how we accommodate those with whom we disagree. The President insists that this political contest must be about ideas, policies and the future of our country, not confrontation, intimidation or violence. He reminds all citizens that Zambia belongs to all of us and that our shared peace and unity must always rise above our political differences. The President therefore calls upon all Zambians regardless of their political affiliation, to uphold the values that have long defined our nation. Let democracy prevail. Let peace prevail. Let Zambia remain united”.