VIOLENT CADRES WILL BE ARRESTED , WE CANT GO TO DARK DAYS – THABO KAWANA
The Ministry of Information , Broadcasting and Media condemns in the strongest terms the political violence witnessed in Mazabuka, where a former Minister standing as an independent Member of Parliament was harassed , such conduct will not be tolerated and we can not go back to the dark days when political violence was the order of the day.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka , the PS Kawana explains that , President was the first to direct police to ensure all those involved in the Mazabuka incident are brought to book, regardless of political affiliation , there is no favoritism , everyone involved has been arrested and will face the law , like any other Citizen who breaks the law, they are entitled to police bond and court bail, but they must answer for their actions. The law remains, and no Citizen is above it, including Members of ruling or former ruling Parties.
The PS vows that, the Country will not return to an era where Political Party Cadres were more powerful than the police , the nation recalls a time when Cadres could beat Police Officers, assault Cabinet Ministers, and go unpunished , that silence from Authorities then seemed like endorsement but this President, from his days in Opposition, has consistently preached reconciliation and non-violence , He stopped Members from taking to the streets in 2015 and 2016, urging peace even when elections felt unfair.
” In the last five years, the President has remained consistent , even when ruling Party Cadres misbehave, he calls on the Police to act without fear or favor , If it means losing popularity because he does not allow misbehavior, so be it. He coined you do that, you’re on your own. He will not be a President who tolerates thuggery. We appeal to Young People not to allow themselves to be used as Political tools to fight opponents. Ask those recruiting you where their own Children are ,” He echoes .
Kawana echoes that , the President keeps his promises , he promised 1 million jobs and has delivered over 1.1 million , he promised $1 million per constituency under CDF and today each constituency receives over $2 million , he promised free education from Grade 1 to 12, and Children are now fed at school, sitting on desks, taught by recruited teachers , he has promised a free, fair, credible, and non-violent election , whoever engages in Political mischief or violence does so at their own peril , the law will visit them.