Mon, 03 Jul 2017 09:54:20 +0000
By OSCAR MALIPENGA
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has warned of stern action against people behind the destruction of power facilities in Zambia.
And he also said that some politicians and civil leaders were in the habit of insulting him so as to ride on his name and title so as to gain some media coverage.
President Lungu said that those calling him names or insulting him were only setting a bad precedence on what the freedom of speech and opinion should be.
Speaking to journalists before his departure to Addis Ababa at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport to attend the 29th African Union summit, President Lungu who laughed off accusations that he was a dictator wondered how a dictator would openly take criticism, or consult with the nation such as was the case in the decision on whether Zambia should pull out or stay in the ICC.
He said if he was a dictator, he would not be consulting or seeking the opinion of others on a myriad national issues.
President Lungu said the current acts of sabotage would not usher any opposition leader into the Presidency but affect the lives of innocent Zambians.
“Continued acts of sabotage have persisted we had a disruption of power on the Copperbelt, a repeat of a few days ago in Lusaka but I am saying that let us be patriotic and responsible as Zambians
“When we destroy the economy, the infrastructure that supports our economic growth and activity you are not destroying Edgar Lungu, you are destroying the future of this country. It is the taxpayers’ money which is being put to waste when you keeping repairing the power supply lines which are being disrupted.
“I would urge the Zambians to be patriotic for once and find out who are doing this things and let us know because the suffering, the loss of life and economic activity is not for Edgar Lungu,” President Lungu said.
President Lungu said they should wait for 2021 when another elections would be held.
“People will choose who the best person to rule this country. By bringing this country’s economy down you are not destroying the choice of the people. I will be here until 2021 God willing unless he takes me away that is the reality and in fact good people respect the laws of their country, good people wish the best for their friends,
“I will not be brought down by the interruption of power supply or by killing innocent people those who think they will bring me down on my knees are wasting their time,” he said.
The Head of State said he was resolved person to save the interest of the Zambian people.
“I can only urge the countrymen to say please for once let us be patriotic you are injuring yourselves, it is your children and relatives in hospitals who suffering when you bring about disruption of power supply.
“It is the children in the incubators who are dying when you disrupt power supply. Why should one be so heartless just become President and you claim to love the Zambian people, that is not how you show love.
Meanwhile, President Lungu said if he was a dictator, he would not be consulting or seeking the opinion of others on a myriad national issues.
President Lungu said a dictator doesn’t consult or take insults like he does.
“I have taken so much. I have been punched so much but I have not hit back. But obvious I can hit back because I am a human being,” President Lungu said.
President Lungu said he believed people should be given enough latitude to talk and criticise because that was what democracy was all about.
The Head of State vowed not be distracted from doing his job because he was not a dictator.
“The opposition is enjoying the coverage that you are giving them as they insult me because I am President. When you insult the President you get coverage. Freedom of the press allows that.”
“But I think they (opposition) should find more substantive issues to deal with and not deal with me because I am very busy. I have told the Church that I will meet them and I will hear their voice. The Bishops spoke publicly but I will speak to them in private. And that is not what a dictator does,” President Lungu said.
President Lungu said the opposition was abusing the freedom of the press but he would not take them on because if he did that he would be elevating them to his level which is dignified.
