By ADRIAN MWANZA
THE Head of State should use this period of mourning to release all political detainees as a way of remembering late Rupiah Banda who championed peace in the country, Chishimba Kambwili, has said.
Mr Kambwili, who is also a PF presidential hopeful, said that the President needed to consider releasing the likes of Ms Mumbi Phiri.
He said that as a way of honouring Mr Banda who was viewed by many as a beacon of peace, the head of State needed to consider releasing individuals like Ms Phiri whose detention has been roundly condemned.
“I just want to make an earnest appeal to the head of State to ensure that he releases all those people who were incarcerated based on political lines like Madam Mumbi Phiri,” he said.
Mr Kambwili said just like President Edgar Lungu heard when people protested his incarceration, the Head of State needed to do the same for Ms Phiri.
He said such a move would resonate with what Mr Banda stood for which was peace and tolerance.
And Democratic Party (DP) President Harry Kalaba said the death of Mr Banda was a big blow since he was the unifier of the country.
Mr Kalaba said the late statesman had time and time again shown that he was a selfless leader who put the country’s interests first.
“If Mr Banda was selfish he was going to put this country on fire by refusing to accept the 2011 election results which the PF won,” he said.
He said again Mr Banda was instrumental in the transition of power which saw the UPND win the 2021 general elections.
Mr Kalaba said the country had lost a beacon of peace and called on the remaining leaders to emulate him in their line of duty.
