Lungu condemns political violence

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has condemned perpetrators of political violence for continuing to tarnish the image of the country.

President Lungu, however, appealed to political players, especially Patriotic Front members to avoid any form of political violence because he was an enemy of violence.

Mr Lungu said he did not find pride in injuring other people and simply wanted everyone including those in the opposition to be carriers of peace as they pursued their agendas in the political arena.

Speaking when he attended church service at Healing Word Ministries International in Lusaka yesterday together with First Lady Esther, Mr Lungu said he was worried at the levels of political violence in the country.

He said he would rather preserve the country’s peace and stability than risk it for the sake of political power, adding that he would not plunge the country into chaos or violence. He warned that culprits of political violence would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“Keep praying for us so that at the end of the day those of us who come to the church with a sinister motive to win support from the church get convicted to support the Lord. And President Lungu said nothing would redeem Zambia in the political arena unless Christ filled the hearts of politicians because where there was Christ there was love and understanding.

He, however, pleaded with the church not to turn away politicians even those who went to the church with sinister motives of merely to seek support.

Where there was Christ, there was also tolerance and desire not to harm each other, he said.

He said although most politicians did not know God they should still be allowed to feel that they belonged to the church also so that they could be filled with Christ in the long run.

The President said when politicians spoke in church in Zambia, it was perceived like politicizing the church with intensions of soliciting support, and hence, the politicians should be free of such accusations.

He said the church had continued to play a critical role in the political affairs of the country to ensure that peace and unity prevailed among political parties despite their differences.

He called on the church to continue praying for politicians so that they could converted into true Christians.