By SIMON MUNTEMBA
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu’s directive to the police and health authorities to enforce the ban on public rallies is timely and the most responsible action to take, the Patriotic Front (PF) has said.
PF media director, Antonio Mwanza, said the directive from the Head of State was timely because it would be very irresponsible for anyone to endanger the health and lives of the public.
Mr Mwanza’s remarks follows President Lungu’s directive during the official PF campaign launch to the Zambia Police Service and health authorities to enforce the ban on all public rallies in line with the Covid-19 health guidelines.
He said in a statement yesterday that campaigns and elections must be conducted within the health framework that guarantees safety of individuals and the public.
“To claim that the President’s directive is meant to stop the opposition from campaigning is mischievous,” he said.
Mr Mwanza said restrictions on huge gatherings had been in place since last year when Government issued Statutory Instruments Numbers 21 and 22 to curb the spread of Covid-19.
With the new Covid-19 variant and the third wave, he said, it was only right that the Police and health authorities get to the ground and ensure strict adherence to the Covid-19 health guidelines.
He urged political players to learn from others, such as the European countries which have banned all forms of huge gatherings such as public protests and rallies to stop the spread of Covid-19.
