Bemba chief defends ECL, warns against insults
A TRADITIONAL leader has warned Patriotic Front members to stop insulting language against former republican President, Edgar Lungu, but to promote peace and unity.
Senior Chief Mpepo of the Bemba said the attacks by some members of the PF on Mr Lungu, are uncalled for and disrespectful.
Senior Chief Mpepo said it was wrong for junior members to ridicule the former head of State who had sacrificed a lot for the country.
He said that President Lungu was a father of the nation and that there was no need to disrespect him in the manner some junior members of the party were doing.
Senior Chief Mpepo said people should refrain from mudslinging, especially against Mr Lungu who served the country diligently to ensure that it was put on the world map.
He said PF members should come up with proper ways of resolving squabbles in the party rather than insulting him.
“I feel it is very wrong because that is our former head of State and should be given the respect he deserves,” Senior Chief Mpepo said.
He said it was a sad development and even though he lost the presidency, he was still like a father figure to them hence the need to accord him respect.
Senior Chief Mpepo said the PF members just needed to pull themselves together and move away from the August 12 defeat and start forging ahead.
And Zambian DNA spokesperson, Spuki Mulemwa said whilst those vying for the PF presidency and their supporters enjoyed their democratic right to express their views, they should do so with respect for Mr Lungu.
“We are also concerned with emotional outbursts targeted against the former President as this will not only divide the party whose convention is slated for June next year. This could also weaken the biggest opposition in the country, distract it from providing credible checks and balances to Government,” Mr Mulemwa said.