STOP HARASSING ECL, SAYS KUMAWA DEVELOPMENT COALITION

KUM’MAWA Development Coalition (KDC) has come to the defense of former President Edgar Lungu, stating that there was absolutely nothing illegal or criminal about saying that Zambians may rise against the UPND Government before 2026 if the police continued to beat up, harass and tear gas innocent people.

Chanoda Ngwira, the KDC spokesperson said that former Lungu had merely reminded the police to conduct themselves in a professional and civil manner when dealing with Zambians because citizens who had already endured great economic suffering may easily rise against government.

“To us, this is a political statement made in good faith and with a good heart from someone who is an experienced statesman. We are however saddened to see multiple statements coming from Zambia police, government institutions, ruling party cadres, state sponsored media platforms and UPND leaders calling for the arrest, prosecution and imprisonment of president Lungu on account that his statement borders on treason,” Mr Ngwira said.

He said it was clear Government had embarked on a political witch hunt, malice and persecution against former President Lungu using the State and State-sponsored media.

“We think this is really sad for many well-meaning Zambians. As a pressure group, we want to put it on record and reiterate in the strongest terms possible that we do not welcome nor support any form of possible political harassment or persecution against the former President on account of his objective advice to the police and the government,” he said.

Mr Ngwira said KDC took such political actions as a threat to the rule of law, democracy, peaceful coexistence and national unity.

He said if such political malice was being championed against innocent people, KDC would stand in solidarity with President Lungu because he hailed from Eastern Province who would remain the son of Eastern soil.

“We hence call upon the government to reconsider any attempts to politically intimidate or harass President Lungu because many people of Eastern Province and the entire country are not willing to allow the mistreatment or harassment of our former head of State in any manner that is deemed malicious and vengeful. These actions may not only undermine the democratic principles we hold dear but also obstruct the developmental progress of this great country we now call a Christian Nation,” Mr Ngwira said.

He also urged the Inspector General of Police to remind his officers to act above board and outside political partisanship.

“If any politician committed a crime, let the police make their findings devoid of heavy political hands as seen in the several statements issued by those politically inclined people,’ Mr Ngwira said.