“Uzakhala pati, ise naba HH tili pamupando, Thabo Kawana teases ECL
…as Edgar Chagwa Lungu dares civil servants
By Derrick Sinjela
Barely three days after Sixth Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu warned that on his return to presidency in 2026, those in the civil service doing “ifyabupuba” will be followed in their houses and sorted out, during a Saturday 24th August 2024 rally convened by Citizens First leader, Mr. Harry Kalaba in Samfya District of Luapula Province, Ministry of Information and Media (MIM) Permanent Secretary (PS), Thabo Kawana ‘Laughed out Loud (lol)’ teasingly urging Dr. Lungu to stop dreaming.
Addressing a Tuesday 27th August 2024 Press Briefing, Mr. Kawana alluded to an interview Dr. Lungu had with the Voice of America (VoA) in which the ’embattled’ Patriotic Front (PF) president attributed his return to active politics as arising from an apparent persecution of his wife, Esther Nyawa-Lungu, daughter Tasila Lungu-Mwansa (Chawama Member of Parliament) and son. Dalitso Lungu.
A fiery Kawana did not mince words, paraphrasing President Hakainde Hichilema that once one breached the law, such an individual is on ‘his or her own’ and ultimately the police will smoke such a citizen regardless of status or political affiliation.
“While President Hakainde Hichilema stresses that the law will be enforced against anyone who breaks it, regardless of political affiliation, former President Lungu’s approach has been established on lawlessness. The United Party for National Development (UPND) Alliance New Dawn Administration is anchored on the rule of law while former president Mr. Edgar Lungu is anchored on lawlessness. Dr. Mr.Lungu is waging personal survival, nothing to do with him fighting for Zambians but fighting for himself,” said Kawana, urging elderly people and the Church to sit down the former president.
Earlier, after proceeding to address a massive crowd, marshalled by Kalaba, Dr. Lungu threatened to take stern action on any civil servant or police officer, frustrating opposition leaders once back at State House.
“But if you do foolish things, I will come for you. I will come for you as an individual in your own house and sort you out. This is not a fake promise. This is not a threat. This is the truth. We will follow you individually until we deal with you because you are doing wrong things. But if you are doing the right things, you will be rewarded. Hear that very clearly.” –