GBM challenge Lungu to issue a decree against violence
By Staff Reporter
United Party for National Development (UPND) Vice President Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba has challenged Edgar Lungu to stop playing lip service and issue a decree on violence if he is serious.
Mwamba said the late President Patrick Mwanawasa issued a decree because he meant what he said while President Lungu should be more practical if he was serious about ending violence.
He castigated President Lungu for failing to contain and curtail the violence by adamantly refusing to restrain his cadres.
Mwamba also said the first instance in which he came face to face with the reality of political violence was during the Mulungushi Rock of Authority Convention in Kabwe where Lungu’s cadres descended on Miles Sampa’s supporters which led to the subsequent robbery of the PF Presidency.
“I want to make it clear that as UPND, we are tired of being attacked and we have evidence. And we believe its time for us to defend ourselves. We won’t allow the PF to butcher our people. We are not saying that we will be the aggressors by starting the vice, but we will rise up to the occasion and defend ourselves each time we are attacked,” said Mwamba.
He refuted claims that the Patriotic Front (PF) had gained ground through what he termed as “stage managed defections” in which the PF has been buying UPND supporters.
Mwamba said high poverty levels in the country was an indication of a failed government and Zambians are waiting for the day they shall remove PF from government.
“Some people said the late “Sata can never be President” but time came, Zambians voted him in office leaving the MMD in shock “marketeers on the streets should not be deceived by PF’s withdraw of council police because it is a gimmick to make them vote for their candidate. Marketeers don’t be deceived into making a mistake of voting for PF in the forthcoming mayoral by-elections. The truth is that the PF has ordered Lusaka City Council (LCC) Police to restrain from chucking you (marketeers) from the streets not until the elections are over, they will be back on you” he charged.
