Riots : It’s political

THE gassing of people in various parts of the country is politically motivated by the opposition, Mandevu Member of Parliament Jean Kapata has charged.

Ms Kapata who is also Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has accused the opposition, particularly the United Party for National Development (UPND) of being responsible for growing trend.

Ms Kapata said so far three people have died in the fracas and the opposition was celebrating.

She said that it was unfortunate that the same people who were gassing innocent Zambians were also advocating for regime change.

She said in an interview yesterday that if the opposition was not behind the gassing which was a national issue they could not start celebrating after people were gassed.

“We know the opposition wants to show that the country has become ungovernable so that they can have a way to get into State House,” she said.

Ms Kapata warned that their time was numbered; they might think they are clever but the blood of people which has been shed would torment them.

“We saw the opposition being excited about what happened in Chaisa and I want to remind the people of Zambia that they need to know what kind of opposition they have in the country.

If they really mean well for this nation they would have come out with suggestions on how to stop this instead of celebrating,” Ms Kapata said.

Ms Kapata said some opposition leaders did not mind how they would get to State House, this was why they were using any means to gain support from Zambians.

“I want call upon Zambians out there, open your eyes, this is not the thing which is just happening but people are being used by a certain political party which is so desperate to go to State House.

She indicated that the UPND and its supporters had been seen rejoicing over the happenings especially  in Lusaka.

Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini however, said he could not rule on the matter as it was beyond his limit.

He guided that Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo would update the nation on Tuesday next week on the gassing of people and suspected ritual killings.

Dr Matibini has also directed Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya to render a comprehensive Ministerial Statement on Wednesday next week on what measures Government had put in place to protect Zambians both home and in China following the outbreak of the Coronavirus in that country.