We’ll not jail critics - President Hichilema

NO Zambian will go to jail for criticising the UPND because that will be an indication of failure by this regime, says President Hakainde Hichilema.

President Hichilema said that people were tensed up because they thought his government would hurt people who committed wrongs to them in the past.

He said this during mass with the Mary Immaculate Catholic Church which was held at State House in Lusaka yesterday.

President Hichilema said his regime was not there to hurt anyone and that people needed to be at ease because vengeance was not his but God’s.

“I’m declaring to you today that no one will go to jail for criticising my government because that is a sign of failure so just relax because we are not going to hurt anyone,” he said.

Mr Hichilema said that arresting anyone with divergent views could be misconstrued to shielding inadequacies by Government which he was confident of fixing.

He said he was elected to the office not for vengeance but to deliver cheaper food for all, adding that vengeance is for God. The Head of State said that poverty, hunger, joblessness and lack of business opportunities for the people were his enemies.

And speaking at the same Mass, Archbishop Mpundu said the expectations on President Hichilema were high but that he was sure that he would not let the people down.

Bishop Mpundu said that the country was endowed with abundant peace which was demonstrated during the election period.