President Sata condemns the Livingstone violence

President Sata condemns the Livingstone violence

Lusaka, February 27, 2013, ZANIS………President Micheal  Sata has condemned, in the strongest terms, the violence that led to the death of the Patriotic Front, PF, district chairperson Henry Chanda in the just ended by-election campaigns in Livingstone yesterday.

And President Sata has bemoaned the death of Chieftainess Chanda Mukulu of the Bemba speaking people of Kasama District.

Mr. Sata said political violence had no place in a democracy and that people should refuse to follow those who try to use violence to achieve their political ends.

President Sata was speaking at State House today when he swore-in newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Effron Lungu, and Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Richwel Siamunene.

He recalled that the violence that obtained between the United National Independence Party, UNIP, and the African National Congress, ANC, during the early days of Zambia’s independence, led to a one party state, a situation he said he would not condone.

The President further said that he did not intend to return the country to a one party state and that those trying to force his hand on this matter would face the  wrath of the law.

At the same function, the President also confirmed Dr Roland Msiska as Secretary to Cabinet, SC, and Mr. .Robert Kamalata as Senior Private Secretary, SPS, in the office of the Vice-President.

He observed that politics is about persuading the electorates to vote for a party of their choice unlike using violence as a tool of wooing political support.

Mr. Sata implored the new office bearers to work hard in the execution of their duties.

“If they call you names that you do not have brains, do not worry as long as you know what you are doing,” Mr. Sata said.

“What you should know is that you came from somewhere,” he said.

And in reference to UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema’s remarks as reported in one of the daily tabloid newspapers today, the President said his record is still clean during his time in the public service.

He explained that his several imprisonments were not as a result of stealing but for defending the rights of Zambians.

“My records are clean, I have not stolen anything when I served in the Chiluba administration,’’ Mr. Sata said.

Meanwhile, President Sata has bemoaned the death of Chieftainess Chanda Mukulu of the Bemba speaking people of Kasama District.

Mr. Sata disclosed that Chieftainess Chanda Mukulu died in the University Teaching Hospital, UTH, this morning.

The Head of State said Government is working out arrangements of transferring the body to Kasama.

And Richwel Siamunene becomes a second UPND member of parliament to serve in the PF administration following the appointment of Itezhi-Tezhi Member of Parliament, Greyford Monde.