Police on high alert as Concourt makes crucial ruling in Lungu eligibility case
Police on high alert as Concourt makes crucial ruling in Lungu eligibility case
POLICE in Lusaka have been placed on high alert as the Constitutional Court renders a ruling in the
Edgar Lungu eligibility case tomorrow.
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The Concourt is scheduled to decree whether it will dismiss or hear the petition brought by youth activist Michelo Chizombe questioning the former president’s eligibility to contest future elections and the 2021 general election.
Lungu had raised a preliminary issue asking the Court to dismiss the matter on reasons that it has already been decided upon.
However Chizombe said the Court needs to rectify the position on whether Lungu can contest future elections after having assumed the office of President twice, as it was wrong when it decreed that his first term in office was inherited.
In ensuring that the Court proceedings are conducted smoothly and orderly, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu said government will put up strict security measures at the Court premises to maximize public security.
Addressing journalists at his office this morning, Mwiimbu said among the precautionary measures that will be put in place is the temporal closure of some public roads leading to the Court premises to block political party cadres that intend to disturb public order.
Mwiimbu directed that no members of the public should camp at the traffic circle under the guise of offering solidarity.
He said a battalion of police officers will be deployed at the Court premises to keep vigil and ensure that law and order is maintained to the highest standard.
“Lawlessness and behavior that is inimical to public order and peace will not be entertained around the Court premises and other public places,” the minister said.
Mwiimbu said government is aware of a plot by some individuals and groupings to cause anarchy in the country.
He also indicated that the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act of 2021 shall be applied to the fullest to ensure that those who abuse the cyber space are brought to book.
“It’s for the good of all of us peace can be lost easily to regain peace is hard. You have noted where peace has been lost in other countries where there has been a breakdown of law and order. To regain the peace that used to be enjoyed in those countries has been very difficult,” he said.
“Very few countries in Africa after turmoil have regained peace. It is therefore incumbent upon all of us to ensure that we maintain peace, we maintain law and order in this country.”
He said there are best ways to express discontentment unlike resorting to anarchy emphasizing that the riotous behavior in Kenya cannot be emulated in Zambia.
“My appeal to you the opposition political party leaders, traditional leaders, church leaders is to preach peace and ensure that there is law and order,” Mwiimbu said.
“We would like to appeal to all those who have been advocating for anarchy tomorrow to refrain let’s work together so that we maintain peace in this country. Through you the media let’s ensure that we promote peace I have no doubt in my mind that we can achieve this.”
He urged police officers to exercise professionalism as they undertake their serious assignment.
“We will not want to go back to the ugly days of police brutality. That is why am appealing to members of the public and political cadres to refrain from engaging in hooliganism. The incident which we have referred to where we lost one of our prosecutors is a dark day in the history of this country and we don’t want that to be repeated,”said Mwiimbu.
“Two sittings of the constitutional court were heard in an atmosphere that was not conducive. We got complaints from the court and members of the public. The last session was the ugliest and we will not want to allow a similar situation to occur.”
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba July 7, 2024.