Bad language inciting violence - Mwanza

THE Language being used by some political party leaders is what is inciting their members to react negatively and with violence, Patriotic Front deputy media director Antonio Mwanza has said.

Appearing on ZNBCs national watch program, Mr Mwanza said that leaders must check the language that they use because it is the language that leads to political violence.

He said that politicians must have language that builds, takes responsibility for anything that happens and that guides the nation.

Mr Mwanza noted that it is very sad to learn that some political leaders and their members are rejoicing over the death of two members of parliament.

The PF deputy director explained that the PF and the United Party for National Development signed a peace accord to stop political violence but that the UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema rubbished the agreement and pulled out of it.

He said that President Edgar Lungu has always condemned political violence and has taken a step to direct the secretary general Davies Mwila to sensitize the young people and tell them that when they are arrested, the party will not protect them.

Mr Mwanza alleged that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has been celebrating the acts of violence by preaching `Panga for panga’.

“When there was violence in Mufulira, Mr Hichilema went to his Twitter account and celebrated acts of violence. That is not what a leader who wants to build does.

“It’s only in Zambia where a person can try to overpower a Presidential motorcade, in other countries you can be shot immediately,” Mr Mwanza said.

He said that the opposition has been agitating political violence using social media.

Mr Mwanza advised political leaders and other stakeholders to help the Zambia police as the country heads to 2021 elections adding that Police alone cannot end political violence.

And UPND deputy national youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso accused the police of being biased.

Mr Liswaniso said that the police have been favoring the ruling party adding that he has reported different matters to the commissioner of police but that no action has been taken.

Mr Liswaniso wondered whether the police have been seeing what has been happening in the country.

He said that the UPND has resolved that when they are attacked they will fight back.

And Zambia police spokesperson Esther Katongo said that police cannot completely end political violence.

She said that it has to take political leaders and other stakeholders to stop political violence.

Ms. Katongo said that political leaders should sensitize their members when it comes to political violence.