Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Malanji has dispelled reports suggesting that Zambia’s Ambassador to Washington Lazarus Kapambwe has been expelled from that country.

Addressing a media briefing in Lusaka, Mr Malanji clarified that Ambassador Kapambwe was working on the multilateral platform with the United Nations but has been transferred to Washington D.C to handle bilateral relations with the US government.

He further said his agreement has already been signed and awaiting procedural requirements for him to take up office.

“But it is only procedural that he gets his A1 visa which is like a work permit for him to operate in the United States on a bilateral platform,” Mr. Malanji said.

Mr. Malanji said Zambia continues to share a solid institutional relationship with the Unites States contrary to speculations and emphasized that Ambassador Kapambwe will be taking up office after all procedural requirements are concluded.

He said the Zambian government continues to enjoy cordial relations with the US Government and no action has been taken by that country in retaliation to anything.

Earlier today, Democratic Party President Harry Kalaba alleged that Ambassador Kapambwe had been expelled from Washington DC by the US Government in line with the the principal of reciprocity that governs international diplomacy.

Mr Kalaba said Ambassador Kapambwe was scheduled to present his credentials to President Donald Trump on 7th February 2020.

He said the Zambian government was excessive in the manner they handled the issue of Ambassador Daniel Foote and in clear demonstration of complete ignorance and failure to learn and understand diplomacy in-spite of being the number 1 diplomat for the last 6 years, President Lungu’s unstrained utterances and behavior has led to constraining of the beautiful relations Zambia has had with our true friends and comrades across main fronts including health and water improvements among others.

Mr Kalaba said the DP noted the precarious path that the PF government under President Lungu has chosen to take, which if not addressed will continue to negatively impact the country’s economy.

He condemned the PF leadership and admonish President Edgar Lungu, and further challenging him to address this issue without further delay so as not to allow deterioration of the bilateral ties that the United States and Zambia have enjoyed through the many protocols and bilateral agreements that have existed between our two countries – Zambia and the USA.

Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States of America Lazarous Kapambwe is reported to have been expelled from that country, according to the Democratic Party President Harry Kalaba.

Ambassador Kapambwe was scheduled to present his credentials to President Donald Trump on 7th February 2020.

Mr. Kalaba says the American government has retaliated because American Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foot was unfairly treated by the PF government for merely expressing his opinion on the imprisonment of the Kapiri gay men.

Mr. Kalaba says Zambia will have to bear the consequences for poorly handling its diplomatic relations with the USA.

Ambassador Foote was recently asked to leave Zambia by the authorities after he condemned the imprisonment of two gays for indulging in sex against the order of nature to 15 years with hard labour.

Efforts to get a comment from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs proved futile.

And opposition Democratic Party Spokesperson Judith Kabemba said the party learnt with concern the expulsion of Ambassador Kapambwe from Washington DC by the US Government in line with the principal of reciprocity that governs international diplomacy.

“It is the DPs view that the Zambian government was excessive in the manner they handled the issue of Ambassador Daniel L. Foote and in clear demonstration of complete ignorance and failure to learn and understand diplomacy in-spite of being the number 1 diplomat for the last 6 years, President Lungu’s unstrained utterances and behavior has led to constraining of the beautiful relations Zambia has had with our true friends and comrades across main fronts including health and water improvements among others,” Mrs Kabemba said.

“The DP notes the precarious path that the PF government under President Lungu has chosen to take, which if not addressed will continue to negatively impact the country’s economy.”

She said the DP leadership would like to condemn the PF leadership and admonish President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and further challenging him to address this issue without further delay so as not to allow deterioration of the bilateral ties that the United States and Zambia have enjoyed through the many protocols and bilateral agreements that have existed between our two countries – Zambia and the USA.

“Finally, I would like to commend the US government for the professional and quiet manner they have handled the issue. If President Lungu’s government had chosen to deal with this matter in such a diplomatic way, the outcome would have been different.”

“We urge our government to quickly address this issue as well as the many other challenges affecting the nation.

President Edgar Lungu has warned criminals going around gassing people’s homes that their days were numbered.

President Lungu has since announced a K250,000 bounty on information leading to the arrest of the suspected criminals.

President Lungu said this when he arrived at Ndola’s Simon Mwansa International Airport on Thursday.

“I am warning those behind the gassing of innocent citizens in selected parts of the Country that their days are numbered. Whatever your motivation, we are closing in on you. We will find you and you will pay for your criminal activities,” President Lungu warned.

“To all those daring me as President, you will have yourselves to blame when I act and no one will speak for you. You cannot injure society and expect to go free.”

“Let me restate that there is K250,000 cash to anyone with any information on people behind this menace,” he stressed.

“Lastly, I want all citizens to be assured that I will do everything it takes to protect you as that is my number one responsibility.”

Meanwhile, Police have confirmed that unknown people broke into MTN Zambia Head Office and attempted to set it on fire.

“Police received information today 13th February 2020 from MTN security on behalf of MTN on Zambezi Road in Roma Township that unknown people walked in the Finance Department and poured on the floors unknown substance smelling like petrol in the pool office,” a statement from Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo read.

“This occurred between 12th February 2020 at 2300 hours and 13th February 2020 at 0100 hours at MTN HQ. Police visited the scene of the crime and found two by five liters blue empty containers, two plastics containing yellowish liquid smelling like petrol and a Black backpack.”

Mrs. Katongo said the yellowish liquid was also spotted on the floors and a docket has been opened.

MTN also confirmed the incident in a public statement.

“This serves to inform the general public that there was a break-in at the MTN Zambia Headquarters building on Zambezi Road in Foxdale, Lusaka at about midnight on 13th February 2020. Operations have not been affected and no material damage has been done.”

“Investigations are being undertaken by law enforcement agencies and MTN Zambia management are taking extra security measures on the premises.”

Police have confirmed that three people have been killed by instant mob in separate incidents in Lusaka’s densely populated shanty areas on suspicion of being behind the spate of house gassing.

And latest reports show that officers from the Zambia Army have been deployed in Kanyama compound, one of the areas where the riots erupted.

Police Spokeswoman Esther Katongo told a media briefing that three men from Chawama, Kanyama and John Howard were burnt to death separately by angry mobs following riots.

“In the early hours of today, members of the public in Kanyama attacked and killed an unknown male person on suspicion of being one of the people spraying households with chemical substances. They also blocked some roads in the area. Police responded to the report and after picking the body with the view of taking it to UTH, the mob charged and blocked the road and begun throwing all sorts of objects at the officers. As a result, they damaged the Police vehicle for Kanyama Police and further went and caused some damage on the newly constructed police station in the area and a Police House,” Mrs Katongo said.

She added, “Later around 10: 30 Hours, a mob in Kanyama West damaged a Police post and killed one member of the public. Another mob went and damaged Mumbwa Road Police Post. Various private properties have been damaged by the mob and are yet to be quantified.”

Mrs Katongo said in a related development, irate members of the public in Chawama ‘s John Howard descended and killed an unknown male adult who was later burnt and later attacked police officers at the Police Station and seriously injured some officers who were on duty.

She said another disturbance was recorded in Lusaka’s Chaisa area but quick response by police saved the situation from deteriorating and officers are still on the ground monitoring the situation.

“As a result of the confrontation in Chawama and Kanyama, we recorded casualties from both sides. The operation is still on and officers are still on the ground. More details will be availed in due course.”

She added, “We reiterate our earlier call that people should be calm and allow the police to do their work without undue disturbance. The prevailing situation where members of the public are resorting to attacking police officers and getting to the street to riot is defeating the whole purpose of investigating the incidences of malicious administering of chemical substance on innocent citizens by criminals as the police may shift their attention to quelling riots.”

“We regret the loss of lives that have occurred, however, we wish warn the general public to desist from taking the law in their own hands as may come with serious repercussion.”

Mrs Katongo said the tendency by members of the public to attack and kill suspected criminals is unlawful and is against Zambian culture.

“We want to assure the general public and the nation at large that the police are doing everything possible to see to it that criminals behind this heinous crime are brought to book. We therefore call for patience and partnership from the general public,” Mrs Katongo said.

Unless they are beneficiaries, the PF should now direct their efforts against these criminals that are gassing people. Please show leadership now before citizens start taking the law in their own hands to protect themselves,Mr Hichilema said

And the PF says the opposition parties are behind the gassing of people’s homes.

PF Media Director Sunday Chanda alleges that PF is aware that opposition UPND’s foreign funders have run out of patience.

“One of Opposition’s tick boxes and conditions to continue receiving funding from their fatigued sponsors is if they can successfully fuel civil unrest and make Zambia ungovernable. UPND does not care about the peace and prosperity of Zambia,” he claimed.

“All they are concerned about is to get power by any means- even if it means leaving our nation in a bloodied ruin of ashes. Zambians can see through their wicked plans. We are watching every step they take and they can be assured that we are ten steps ahead of them. They are panicking and it’s just a matter of time when they will reap what they sow,” Mr Chanda said.

Meanwhile, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has called upon the PF government to restore order in the country.

Mr Hichilema urged the PF not to politicize the ongoing security threats in Zambia.

“The PF will politicize anything on earth and above, they know nothing but politics. As a matter of fact, they despise us because they say we are not politicians but managers. They are right, the country needs prudent management not this incompetence,” Mr Hichilema said.

“When the problem is economical, they politicize instead of finding solutions.They will politicize hunger or lack of hunger. When there is a drought they politicize, and when there are floods it is the usual politics,” he said.

“We have told them that the horrific serial killing spree must be halted and that they must redirect the public resources at their disposal to resolving the security crisis, they engage in blame games and finger pointing at others as being responsible. Arrest the criminals, take them to the courts of law and nip the problem in the bud, stop blame games and do your job,” he said.

Mr Hichilema said the continued gassing and putting of lives at risk by criminals while the PF pay a blind eye, is unfortunate for the country.

“Once more, we would like to condemn this barbaric behavior and call on Mr Edgar Lungu to for once show leadership by directing part of the State resources to protecting citizens from these criminals. Security for our people must come first and not vote buying,” he said.

“Our people are living in fear and spending sleepless nights yet Mr Edgar Lungu has remained mute on this very serious issue bordering on national security.”

He added, “Unless they are beneficiaries, the PF should now direct their efforts against these criminals that are gassing people. Please show leadership now before citizens start taking the law in their own hands to protect themselves.”

And Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa has called on Lusaka residents to remain calm.

Mr Sampa who toured the affected areas said order will soon be restored.

“This morning I took a tour of Kanyama township to check on the status after earlier disturbances from residents precipitated by night gassing of homes. Some culprits were arrested by the Police last night but residents pounced on police stations demanding to be given the arrested so that they burn them,” Mr Sampa said.

“Police resisted this request and that’s what led to consequent riots and damage to public installations like solar street lights. We also visited victims of the fracas admitted at Kanyama clinic. We found most in stable conditions.”

“Our appeal to residents of Lusaka is to remain calm but vigilant. Report to the police even at any sign or minimal danger of gassing. I witnessed the police patrolling the entire Kanyama and I gather it will be so overnight in all Lusaka townships. We shall prevail and get arrested all involved with the gassing antics,” he reassured.