State pursues saboteurs

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 11:59:25 +0000

…Minister vows to find their financiers

By KALOBWE BWALYA

THE destruction of the two ZESCO electricity pylons in Kafue was economic sabotage which also endangered the lives of innocent people, and people behind  the dastardly act will be brought to book, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo has said.

Mr Kampyongo said it was a national disaster because production has been affected especially for the mines and the health institutions.

He said police was in pursuit for culprits and those who funded them, not only those behind the act, but even those that are funding them, and police are making head ways to bring the people behind it to book.

Mr Kampyongo said his ministry has since deployed a huge number of police officers who are on alert and are working with the community to ensure that culprits are brought to book because it was an act of terrorism.

He said he has information on the people behind the vandalism of Zesco pylon following the reports that he has received from the general public as well as the community around and that the same group is planning to do the same in other areas.

“We are going to pursue not only those that are doing the act, but even those that are funding the act and will enforce the law and we now have Acts that are looking at terrorism and we may start charging people using the new statute because that is an act of terror,” said Mr Kampyongo.

Mr Kampyongo said such lawless and confusion will not be allowed regardless of who is involved whether a common cadre or political leader will be pursued and the law will be applied accordingly in order to restore peace and order in the country.

He said it was a national disaster because production has been affected especially for the people in production. And Mr Kampyongo has described the UPND and PF Memorial Park fracas that happened on Saturday as act of lawless, regrettable and unfortunate and the matter should be investigated thoroughly and those that would be found waiting arrested.

Meanwhile, Mr Kampyongo said drug abuse as well as trafficking has the potential to destabilize the internal security, peace and the social- economic development of the nation.   Speaking when he officiated at World Anti- Drug day in Lusaka yesterday, under the theme” listen first, listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe”, Mr Kampyongo emphasized the need to involve families, teachers, health workers and enforcement agencies in drug prevention.

Mr Kampyongo said families should help prevent drugs substances and alcohol abuse by developing protective factors that would ensure a safe and healthy environment for the children.

He said once the funds are available, the law enforcement agencies would soon embark on clean up exercise like the “Chibolya” exercise so that the country is drug free.  And Drug enforcement commissioner Alita Mbahwe said out of 610 that were counselled last , 317 were pupils aged between 10 and 18 involved in abusing illicit drugs and alcohol which just showed that the gravity of the problem among the young ones.