President Edgar Lungu has warned that he will not hesitate to use his constitutional powers to address electoral violence if state institutions like the Electoral Commission of Zambia and the Zambia Police Service failed to do their work to stop the violence.
Speaking to journalists at State House last evening when he was harvesting fish, the President said that government is aware of a ploy by the opposition to deliberately cause violence during the election period, adding that the opposition’s idea is to make the people rise against police officers in the country.
He however said that government will decisively deal with those who are deliberately causing violence whilst playing the victim, on the other hand, adding that the opposition is hoping to use a tactic that was used in a neighbouring country during elections but that it will not work.
President Lungu reminded the opposition that he is still the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and can invoke powers to ensure sanity is forcefully restored, and that he is still in charge not until a fresh mandate is given following the end of polls on August 12 and warned people causing violence not to push him into the route of invoking constitutional powers to stop the violence.
President Lungu urged those tasked with the responsibility to ensure rules and laws to act accordingly and noted that in the event police and the Electoral Commission of Zambia fails to play their part he will be forced to invoke powers given to him by the Zambian Constitution.
“I am still in charge of this country. If the rules and laws that have been put in place are not respected by those charged with the responsibility, if ECZ can not do their part, if police can not do their part, in the Zambian Constitution if you read carefully, I have power given to me by the Zambian Constitution which I can invoke at any time. Do not push me against that route,” President Lungu said.
President Lungu also expressed concern with the high numbers of Covid cases in the country and repeated the warning that he will not hesitate to use his constitutional powers to protect the people if institutions that are mandated to enforce Covid guidelines fail to do their work.
He said people will not be allowed to die because of elections and failure by institutions to enforce the guidelines. The head of state said Zambians should adhere to Covid-19 regulations because the rate of infection is high.
Right……….. So now we will see Edgar China Lungu sending the TANKS on the street!
But Bwana Lungu how can you be both a referee and a player at the same time in this game? You have huge conflict of interests,you’re compromised.
“…….if ECZ can not do their part, if police can not do their part,…..”
Why don’t you sack their heads then ?
The corrupt thieving moron knows its hes PF thugs that he sends that is causing the violence and the ECZ and police are powerless against them…..
I don’t know how this man graduated from UNZA. He sounds like Ba Inno (Ama Americans)
Violence is deplorable! But PF are the architects of this violence, difference is people are hitting back too! The police are ripping years of inaction on PF violence. Right messaging should be directed to PF cadres and police. Let others assemble and campaign freely!
Well, well, well the Commander-in-Chief will unleash his army on the streets to quell political violence
RE: THE PIC WAS THIS BEFORE OR AFTER HE COLLAPSED
VIOENCE HAS BECOME A CULTURE IN ZAMBIA POLITICS PRACTICED BY BOTH PARTIES TO SOME EXTENT BUT PF APPEARS TO BE AT THE FORE
ANY INTERVENTION CAN ONLY MAKE IT WORSE
HIS DOES NOT MEAN ITS ACCEPTABLE BY ANY MEANS
William, it would be helpful for you to just shut up. What comes out of your mouth is just too dirty. Lungu is a graduate which i doubt you are.
IS THERE PROOF OF THE DEGREE JUST ASKING
All these years he has been quiet now its campaign time he starts talking about using his powers…very predictable. This man needs to go!!
Lungu is sensing defeat at the Polls on August 12 Elections. He now wants to Militarise these Elections to his advantage. ECL is now threatening a State of Emergency using Presidential Powers. Lungu wouldn’t mind postponing these Elections to a future date. Can Lungu impose a State of Emergency without Ministers and Parliament in Session? ECL is a wounded Buffalo and can do the unthinkable to save himself from Electoral defeat. The man is desperate and can see that even in his Strongholds People are crying out for a change of Govt. Now that Lungu has been declared eligible he is now scheming how to steal the 2021 Elections. People are Angry and Hungry for a change of Govt on August 12. Lungu has already collapsed fearing Electoral defeat. It doesn’t matter what he does. People…
Most of us warned if this cadre violence is not dealt with, people will react. Now institutions that are tasked to quell are powerless, the president is threatening to use powers. Sir, go to bus stops and markets. The police are helpless because the PF cadres are above the law and they police fear to loose jobs if they tackle it. They have been rendered helpless. So far the enforcement has been on other side that is why it can’t finish. Why don’t you see that since you have the machinery at your disposal? Please sir, make a trip to chunga bus stop
It is absolutely terrible for the head of state to threaten to use his powers in such a partisan way in response to an unacceptable thing like political violence. This is desperation and he is about to show his real colours now. No more church pretence. Assume the brace position Zambians- you are about to reap what you have been sowing!!!
That is eagle one. Remember he is commander in chief. Enough is enough. The upnd are killing our people. Mr president if in 2weeks time things ain’t changed then use the powers and give me authority to start beating
hA hA hA
Its clear that the ECZ and Police are compromised hence their failure to deal with violence which is being provoked by the PF. Under the pretex of curbing political violence there is a high probability of deploying armed forces. Having watched the 45th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day at the Freedom Statute it might have been a veiled rehersal. The whole event was huge never seen since independence and costs should have been in millions. Just watch what the timely warning will end. And I quote ” I have powers given to me in the Zambian constitution which I can invoke at any given time”. The courts were warned to go the Kenyan way and now the ECZ and Police not to be behave the Malawi way. I am of the view that Malawi is completely different from Zambian way of doing things. Why is that…
“The Founding Fathers, the framers of the U.S. Constitution, wanted to form a government that did not allow one person to have too much control. With this in mind, they wrote the Constitution to provide for a separation of powers, or three separate branches of government. … This is done through checks and balances.”
GRZ what’s going on? Life wasn’t meant to live through others.
GRZ, let’s have honest discussion. Ask yourself why in time of elections we have all these problems. We know the answer.
“We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”
Winston S. Churchill
It is high time HH talked to his supporters to stop violence and show commitment to fighting convid-19. Zambians should not die because HH wants to be a President. We all wish to be Presidents but we understand that only one person can be a president at a time. You can organize a peaceful, admirable and educative road show. What UPND has demonstrated so far is a repulsive road show that does not deserve a vote. Zambians, let us show him that violence and insensitivity, thoughtlessness and Heedlessness to spreading convid-19 infections do not earn one votes. ZAMBIANS VOTE TO END VIOLENCE AND INSENSITIVITY.
Museveni sorted out this problem by using the army. If need be, do that ECL.
Next it will be putting MU7 plan of action into play..justwait for it….this is a very desperate man who has no life after Presidency
Is this an admission then that Kanyanta’s 6 months to prove himself have lapsed and he has failed? Fire the man! All talk with no action as usual.
Disappointing to say the least.
ZAMBIAN DONOT BE MISLEAD AND EANGLE IS TO ONE ZAMBIANS GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY , BUT WHAT IS AT PLAY HERE IS BECUAUSE
OF WHAT I SAW IN MY COMMUNITY WHERE BALLY GOT GREAT SUPPORT WITH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY , WHILE THE MWANKOLES WITH NO SUPPORT , SO THIS MAN AND THE PF NOW KNOWS ITS CLEAR HE CANNOT WIN THESE ELECTIONS .
HENCE TRYING ALL MEANS OF STOPPING THE UPND FROM CAMPAIGNING , WHEN HE HAS BEEN CAMPAGING ALL HIS TIME IN OFFICE
AND CORRUPTING ALL , SACCORD DONOT HIDE JUST TELL OFF THE PF AND LUNGU TO STOP THE CONFUSION , ALSO THE USELESS STATEMENTS OF COVID WAVES ARE ALL LIES , NOTE THAT PEOPLE IN MARKETS AND COMPOUNDS HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING DIFFERENT AT ALL.
it is always funny…the narrative of this government has bee…”the government is aware of a plan by opposition to….” this is really laughable. The fact that whoever has a different perspective from the government is regarded as opposition. Of course i do not condone violence but Eagle 1 is always quiet if its PF causing havoc. Sir, Lets be fair…..
Lungu is burying his head in the sand like an Ostrich. Violence in the Panga Family (PF) is legendary. Right now the PF Security Wing is busy blocking HH and UPND Alliance to do their Road Shows. There are PF Security Commanders deployed in all Townships with Orders to stop HH from Campaigning during the Campaign Period. The PF Security Commanders are provoking UPND Marshalls and the UPND Alliance Youths have had to defend themselves. Its always PF attacking UPND Youths and the UPND youths defending themselves. ECL knows that he can’t win this Election if it is free,fair and credible. Hence he wants to use Violent PF Cadres to rig the Election in his favour. PF Security Wings should be disbanded if Zambia is going to have Credible and Peaceful Elections. The writing is on the…
He should just fire IG and minster of home affairs its their duty to intercept such unarrests in the country….cant put everything on the President
KAIZER FUSEKE WITH YOUR NONSENSE YOU HAVE NO SAY AT ALL
JUST MAKING OUT YOU ARE SOMETHING AND HAVE A SAY IN EVENTS HAPPENING
WHEN IN FACT NO ONE EVEN LISTENS TO YOU
YOU GETTING YOUR INFO FROM OTHER NEWS OUTLETS THEN BLOGGING HERE WE ARE NOT ST-UP-ID
I just wish there was another better Zambia. I could have quickly gone there. I love being a Zambian and being in Zambia. But i detest (hate) injustice, pretense, hypocrisy, lies, selfishness, oppression, violence , crookedness, stubbornness and corruption. I would love to live in a better Zambia, where people really know and fear God in truth. A Zambia where people do not discriminate others based on tribe or any kind of association. A Zambia where every human being is respected and is considered and treated equal with others. Where is that Zambia, where the good is not just said and written, but it is done and supported?. Ngikatele Mina.
MR PRESIDENT THREATS THREATS BY PF ALL THE TIME
JUST TRY AND SEE WHAT REACTION YOU WILL GET
IT WILL NOT STOP NOW >>> YOU THE LEARDERSHIP BY YOUR UNLEVEL PLAYING FIELD HAS CAUSED THIS MESS
WHICH IS BEYOND ALL CONTROL INCLUDING YOU
It is not a threat, get it straight. It is the caution. If UPND didn’t stop fuelling the violence, then that will be the last resort.
The editor needs lessons in journalism I guess. This is completely wrong presentation of the facts.
It is high time that violent cadres, irrespective of party were punished. Violence is condemnable, whosoever does it, PF or UPND. But all the surrogates reacting to this news are tight lipped on what UPND is doing. Everyone wants to lecture PF!
Don’t spare anyone who is disturbing the social harmony and peace of this country.
Yes. If the unruly UPND cadre didn’t stop violence. Do you want the head of the state to be mute spectator to what is happening?
We the people of Zambia have made him referee and player. He is doing what he is expected to do. If you are so worried, then show the courage to question the one who is cause of the violence. Do you have balls to question Bally?
Really amazing to see how paid bloggers are setting narrative. You are going all out to blame PF cadre, but have nothing to say about UPND cadres killing PF supporters in Southern Province. Wow!
It is Hakainde Hichilema who is fuelling the violence and UPND cadre are on rampage. You need to open your eyes and see what is happening around us.
You perfectly fit into the description made by Royd Moonga. Hope you know him. He was in UPND for 17 years and has seen how it works very closely. You seem to be one of those paid bloggers, rented by UPND.
If you really want to be fair, then why not a single word on UPND violence? Are you scared to criticise UPND, because they will hack you to death? Don’t be coward if you are a real person. I challenge you to speak against UPND violence too.
THE TROOLLS ARE BACK
THEY MUST BE WORRIED ALL USING THE SAME COMPUTER AND LOCATION KIKIKIKI
YOUR TIME IS UP IM AFRAID >>>
One NAREP SG who resigned some years ago witnessed a bye election in one of the rural Copperbelt constituencies, and he came to confess to us that he had never seen such PF brutality on the ground from the cadres and the man just ended up resigning. He just said I cant be in such a political environment obtaining in our country, so this violence is not new, it has been going on for some time. The Police also must treat every body fairly, this issue of playing a blind eye on PF always congregating for campaigns and meetings which are surely going without let or hindrance is not good. Double standards are fueling this problem, immediately the partisan cap is removed by the Police and professionalism kicks in, these will be problems of the past
The weakest incumbent to beat in this election, even good that the concourt ruled that he is eligible. Just check economic stats and even before covid even before you want to argue with me
Sure we are all dumb. We can’t see one troll from another. KZ who is now threatening to beat people up from UK, Mery Bemba, Wilson and all their friends! Come on guys, if you want to do some cyber stuff then at least do it properly! This amateurish gobbledygook doesn’t wash!
WELL STATED No Corruption Zambia
THEY PROBABLY IN A TAVERN WITH KZ
I am a Mozambican. I lived in Zambia for three years (2011-2013) and what I remember is the PEACE and RESPECT of the people. Violence is not the best way to solve our differences.
I do not want my Zambian friends to go through what we are going here in Mozambique.
May God continue pouring his blessings to Zambia and to Zambian people. Say NO TO VIOLENCE
It is a THREAT definitely !!!!!!!!!!
aimed at UPND yet PF are the instigators
Stop twisting the facts
Comment 28-37, same person supporting PF, posting using silly names.
Why am I not surprised? Paranoia and Delusion is what I see. Not sure if those powers will be effective after the 12th August. People will always win regardless of force used. People are hungry and as the saying goes, A hungry man is an angry man. The man forgets that the power vested in him lies in the people he is supposed to serve and not these unwarranted threats!
We are such a shallow minded people that we do the same things all the time. We think the same all the time. If the opposition perpetrates violence then it must be the rulling party. If the elections are riged then it is the rulling party. If the opposition cant find the evidence then they change the story. but let the most popular candidate win.
When PF thugs over the years were freely attacking innocent citizens without retaliation, ECL never stopped the violence when – even when he could have merely firmly commanded them. Now that people have had enough and are hitting back, he wants to use it as an excuse to stifle every opposition in his path. The man has never been able to govern – just threats, condoning of the abuse of the opposition and directives. Even on this occasion, this was not a proper address or a constructive questions and answer dialogue. He was catching fish! “Aware of the oppositions ploy to deliberately cause violence”, he says. Clear propagandist sentiments that dictators use before they unleash their controlled state machinery
What a 2-faced hypocrite. He knows too well that his PF thugs with his blessings, and supported by the same police and ECZ are the ones who think are above the law. I wonder what the numskulls at ECZ and the Police feel to be constantly blamed by this hypocrite just to save face and his skin in the eyes of the Zambian people and the International community. He thinks he is smart by cheap rhetoric… he wants to use State of Emergency just to prolong his stranglehold on power!
The failure by PF is very evident, infact this is a no contest. For UPND if you also come and fail like your friends you will also be removed. You cant be talking of infrastructure when people are struggling, you first sort out bread and butter issues before you talk of infrastructure
Bumper harvest which does not even translate into reduced cost of mealie meal. How do you honestly fail in everything. You cant say sonta when all stats are in negative, and you want to sonta a flyover bridge, can you be serious for once
Such threats
Traits of a dictator
In this case in the making
ECL is dangerous! He is sensing defeat and wants to declare State of Emergency to rig the Elections in his favour. After collapsing ECL is desperate and Acting like a wounded Buffalo. He nows wants to use the Military to Campaign for him while stopping HH and UPND Alliance from Campaigning during the Campaign Period. ECL is feeling the heat with Macmillan’s wind of Change is blowing across Zambia. Even in PF strongholds People are chanting “We want Change…We want Change “. ECL is feeling rejected by the People. He now wants this Country burnt b4 August 12. Zambians shouldn’t allow this to happen. Let us all unite to stop the Third Term Steal. HH should give Zambians help and hope during this difficult period in our lives. The writing is on the wall.
The devil is really using this Lungu. There is need for prayers because the man is evil to say the least.
In case ECL is thinking of an emergency declaration;
The President may, in consultation with Cabinet, at any time, by Proclamation
published in the Gazette declare that a State of public emergency exists.
2. A declaration made under clause (1) of this Article shall cease to have effect on
the expiration of a period of seven days commencing with the day on which the
declaration is made unless, before the expiration of such period, it has been
approved by a resolution of the National Assembly supported by a majority of all
the members thereof ….
ECL is the OBSTACLE to NORMAL LIFE
ECL is now a DICTATOR bwafya. Power is sweet ka.. UNO MUKU ULEYA…..
Without knowing ECL by threatening a State of Emergency he is actually de-campaigning himself. People know it is the PF Military Wing causing the Violence. From the HH Road Shows on CB, in Mandevu, Munali, Kanyama etc he can see that People are Angry and Hungry for a change of Govt. On August 12 People will cast their votes infavour of HH and banish ECL and Third Term from Politics. Zambians stopped Chiluba from his Third Term Bid and now they have to stop Lungu from his Third Term Steal. The writing is on the wall.
Desperate measures but the will of the people will prevail this time.