Death threats against HH criminal – Veep

By VANESSA NAGAYATHOSE THOSE with the propensity of threatening the life of President Hakainde Hichilema should know that they are committing a criminal offence and should be ready to face the law and account for their transgressions, Vice-President Mutale Nalumango has warned. The Vice-President is urging Zambians to exercise restraint in their political discourse and respect the rule of law and resist the temptation of making alarming statements against a head of State. Mrs Nalumango was responding to Sesheke East Member of Parliament Romeo Kang’ombe, who wanted to know what measures the government was taking against people threatening the President during the Vice-President’s Question Time in Parliament yesterday. “The death of a President is the partial death of the nation. So, play your politics but stay away from the President’s life. The life of the President of Zambia is important, and threats against his life cannot be treated as ordinary political talk,” Mrs Nalumango said. Mrs Nalumango said while citizens were free to criticise political leaders, those threatening to kill President Hichilema had crossed the line and should not be tolerated, regardless of political affiliation or status in society. “Those threatening to kill the President have crossed the red line and should not be tolerated, regardless of political affiliation or status in society,” Mrs Nalumango said. Threatening another person’s life is unacceptable, particularly when it involves the President of the Republic, whose office carries national significance,” Ms Nalumango said. “Political differences should be expressed through constructive debate and criticism rather than threats of violence. All Zambians, regardless of their political affiliations, have a responsibility to reject such conduct,” she said. Ms Nalumango emphasised that respect for public office should transcend beyond political divisions, urging politicians to exercise caution in their choice of words and avoid statements that could encourage violence. Ms Nalumango said the death of a President would have grave consequences for the nation and should not be treated lightly, reiterating that democratic politics should be conducted within the boundaries of the rule of law. She told Parliament that the sharing of information with individuals who were allegedly fugitives and concealing their whereabouts could attract legal consequences if it amounts to an offence under the law. She cautioned against labelling individuals as fugitives without careful consideration, stating that the term often carried serious legal implications. And Ms Nalumango has asked the law enforcement agencies to clarify the distinction between an abduction and a lawful arrest, stating that according to her knowledge, an abduction involved taking a person away without an explained reason, leaving those concerned unaware of the person’s whereabouts. Ms Nalumango told Parliament that law enforcement agencies should help clarify the distinction between an abduction and a lawful arrest, following concerns raised in Parliament over the use of the term when security agencies apprehend suspects.

Longwe threatens to sue Chief Justice

Chester, Felix, IDC finally granted bail

ZNBC journalist Mukuka released from police c...

We’re looking into accusation of misconduct a...

Independent candidates free to file nominatio...

You will be paid soon, Veep assures farmers

KARIBA TO HAVE ONLY 9PC WATER STORAGE BY END ...