The Patriotic Front (PF) has demanded that Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba should immediately take action against threats of violence by the UPND cadres on many Zambians perceived to supporters of opposition political parties.
Given Lubinda, the PF acting president has written to Mr Kajoba reminding him that late Tutwa Ngulube had lodged a complaint that his life was under threat but that the police did not take action.
Mr Lubinda recalled that on September 4, 2022, late former Kabwe Central Member of Parliament Mr Ngulube lodged a formal complaint with the police after several threats against his life were issued by known UPND cadres but his complaint was largely ignored.
Mr Lubinda explained that on Friday 23rd September, 2022, he wrote a letter to Mr Kajoba, complaining against the continued and eminent threats of violence by UPND cadres against members of the PF who were providing checks and balances to President Hakainde Hichilema.
He stated that citizens perceived to be critical of President Hichilema and the UPND government were being threatened with unknown reprisals by zealots of the governing party.
“On 10th January, 2023, Green Party president, Peter Sinkamba lodged a formal complaint with the police following a pattern of threats and disturbing messages issued by unknown persons and the incumbent UPND Kwacha Member of Parliament, Charles Abel Mulenga who claims that Mr. Sinkamba wants his election nullified by the Constitutional Court,” he said.
He said what was shocking was that the eminent threats of violence by UPND cadres against citizens were going unabated despite presenting videos, audios and written statements as evidence of UPND cadres threatening to beat, maim or kill innocent citizens, the police had remained mute without taking practical steps to arrest and prosecute the culprits.
“I wish to fervently remind you that it is your solemn and patriotic duty to protect the lives of all Zambians from the threat of injury, death or any harm, physical or psychological. Your failure to act on clear cases of threats of violence is inexcusable and totally unacceptable and borders on complicity,” he said.
Mr Lubinda’s letter to Mr Kajoba has been copied the Police Public Complaints Commission, Human Rights Commission (HRC), Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC), Zambia Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) and the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ).
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