Tue, 18 Apr 2017 06:02:10 +0000
By SIMON MUNTEMBA
IT is useless for the UPND to start issuing warning statement against us over the UPND leader’s alleged deteriorating health because PF has got nothing to do with how the police is managing the issue of Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, says Mumbi Phiri.
Ms Phiri, who is the PF deputy secretary general, said the police were professionally doing their job and that it was wrong for UPND to issue warning statement against her party.
The PF deputy SG was reacting to a statement by UPND that the PF government would be held responsible for anything that might happen to their party president whilst in detention.
“The police are independently and professionally doing their jobs and as PF, we are not privy to what is happening to HH in the police custody,” she said.
Ms Phiri stated that as a law abiding party, her party would not interfere in the whole matter but allow the law to take its course.
On Saturday, UPND Spokesperson Charles Kakoma issued a statement that the PF government would be held responsible for anything that might happen to Mr Hichilema whilst in detention.
Mr. Kakoma said that the UPND leader’s health was deteriorating and that Government should take the matter serious.
“The Zambian authorities should take this matter seriously. As a party, we would like to warn the PF government that they will be held responsible to anything that might happen to Mr. Hichilema while in police custody,” Mr. Kakoma charged.
Mr Kakoma lamented that police were denying their leader Mr. Hichilema to seek medical attention when he was unwell.
He disclosed that HH’s health had deteriorated and proposed independent investigations to ascertain what kind of chemicals were used to teargas his bedroom.
“As UPND, we demand that Mr Hichilema should be subjected to rigorous medical tests and treatment by independent doctors who are free from government interference,” he said.
Mr. Kakoma stated that when Mr. Hichilema’s wife visited him on Saturday, she found him in a worse condition than before.
