By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) have expressed disappointment with the conduct of the PF Government in general and the Zambia Police Service in particular.
PeP leader Sean Tembo was reacting to reports that police in Chingola yesterday prevented the main opposition UPND and its leader Mr Hakainde Hichilema from undertaking their roadshow campaigns.
“This constitutes double standards because the PF themselves are able to do their roadshow campaigns in all parts of the country without let or hindrance, we therefore stand with the UPND and wish to encourage them to ignore the malicious intimidation of the Police and proceed with their roadshow campaigns unceasing,” he said.
Mr Tembo said that his party does not however believe the claims by the UPND leader that there was an assassination attempt on his life in Chingola.
“Based on the photographs that were shared which showed nominal damage to the vehicle that Mr Hichilema was said to have been traveling in at the time, it is evident to any reasonable observer that such nominal damage could not have been caused by a bullet, whether small or high caliber.
Mr Tembo advised other opposition political leaders especially to show responsibility and desist from issuing alarming statements which have the potential of creating anarchy during this volatile election season.
“Anyone aspiring to lead this country as a Republican President must have a high moral standing and integrity and should not peddle lies and innuendo in order to gain cheap political mileage through unwarranted public sympathy,” he said.
Mr Tembo also urged the PF and its Government to say stop the ongoing intimidating of the opposition.
“You cannot say that campaigns should be by roadshows and door-to-door and then when the opposition do exactly that then you send the Police to stop them, such kangaroo behavior will not be accepted by any reasonable Zambian,” he said.
He further advised the UPND to stop relying on public sympathy as your main campaign tool.
“Take this opportunity to tell the Zambian people what you will do for them sector by sector, your over reliance on public sympathy as a campaign tool is what is making your President to make unfounded assassination allegations, such exaggerations and lack of regard of their consequences on public peace is making your President to lose credibility in the eyes of reasonable Zambians,” he said.
Mr Tembo said that as the August 12, August general elections near, PeP hopes that all players will exercise maturity and restraint and allow peace and tranquility to prevail.
