Fri, 25 Aug 2017 09:33:00 +0000
By Oscar Malipenga
LUSAKA Police Commissioner Nelson Phiri stopped an inter-denominational thanksgiving prayers for the release of the UPND leader from prison which were scheduled to take place at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
Mr Phiri told the Daily Nation that conveners of prayers did not notify the Police Service.
“They did not even notify us about their gathering today. That was going to be an illegal gathering because they did not inform the police that they would have such a gathering,” Mr Phiri said.
The City of Refuge Ministries Pastor Kangwa Chileshe had announced a thanksgiving service following the release from a four-month detention in jail of Mr Hichilema and five others who were charged for treason.
And reacting to UPND’s attempt to hold inter-denominational thanksgiving prayers for Mr Hichilema, Patriotic Front Lusaka Province youth chairman Kennedy Kamba wondered what was so special about yesterday’s prayers when they had been publicly rejecting all other national prayers.
“It is very unfortunate that they want to involve the name of God into politics. As youths, we are very surprised that they have called for thanksgiving prayers following the release of Hakainde Hichilema. Who is he and what has he done to deserve such kind of prayers?
“President Edgar Lungu invited them for the national prayers at the Showgrounds and at the National House of Prayers at the Burma Road site but they never showed up, so what has changed today for them to run to God to thank him for the release of Mr Hichilema?” he said.
