Gov’t dismisses allegations that Tasila’s Lungu’s husband Patrick Mwansa, has been shot dead.
IT’S ALL LIES, INTERNET BANTER, SAYS KAWANA
….Gov’t dismisses allegations that Tasila’s Lungu’s husband Patrick Mwansa, has been shot dead.
GOVERNMENT has dismissed allegations that Tasila Lungu’s husband Patrick Mwansa, has been shot dead.
Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana also dismissed claims that former Minister of Transport and Communications Mutotwe Kafwaya had been shot and admitted to Maina Soko Medical Centre.
Mr Kawana described the claims as mere social media banter, which he said was being propagated to cause mayhem and confusion among members of the public.
He said government investigations, through his Defence counterpart Permanent Secretary Maambo Haamaundu, had established that the allegations were false and had no credibility.
Mr Kawana also dismissed claims that Mr Kafwaya had been arrested and was being held at Lusaka Central Police Station or admitted to a medical facility.
He described the claims as an agenda to disrupt the electoral process at the expense of national peace and security.
Mr Kawana said the circulation of unverified information could alarm and agitate members of the public, potentially triggering disorder and disrupting the electoral process.
He urged the public to remain calm, reject unverified information and allow the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to complete the process of announcing the election results and declaring a winner in accordance with the law.
“Niwenye!! (It is all a lie!!). They are just acting comedy. Makebi Zulu is saying one thing, Brian Mundubile is also saying another thing,” he said.
Mr Kawana challenged those circulating the claims to provide evidence and warned that individuals making statements that could incite the public might be required to account for their remarks after the electoral process.
“The relatives of Mr Kafwaya and Mr Mwansa should come forward and show us that they have been shot and that they are at the bedside. And if Mr Mwansa is dead, why isn’t Tasila Lungu, his wife, saying anything about her husband being dead because it is all a lie. I saw her at Kabulunga urging people to vote, which can’t be the case if she was a widow,” he added.
And Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security Permanent Secretary Dickson Matembo warned politicians and members of the public against making statements that could incite citizens and threaten peace in the country.
Mr Matembo said police would not sit back and allow alarming statements with the potential to put the country at risk.
He warned that individuals making such statements could be called upon to explain themselves, particularly where their remarks bordered on serious offences.
Mr Matembo assured the public that police would continue to adjust their operations in line with prevailing security requirements to ensure the safety of citizens and their property.
Hellen Mwandila
TOZ