Zambian President Hichilema's Address Descends into Violent Chaos in Chingola

The recent events in Chingola, specifically in Chiwempala, have drawn widespread condemnation and ignited calls for immediate action after the President's life was reportedly subjected to an imminent threat. The incident, involving stone-throwing, has been described as an affront to the rule of law and the dignity of the nation, prompting strong reactions from political figures.
Honorable Sunday Chilufya Chanda, Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya Constituency, emphatically stated that such attacks must be condemned by every citizen across all political divides, asserting that violence is not an instrument of politics. He emphasized that any imminent threat to the Head of State is intolerable and demands swift and decisive consequences. Chanda called for a full, transparent, and impartial investigation into the Chingola events, with findings made public and those responsible prosecuted. He also advocated for a review of security arrangements to ensure the safety of public officials and citizens while safeguarding the right to peaceful assembly. Furthermore, Chanda urged for a firm but lawful response from security services against inciters of violence, collective leadership from all political parties and traditional leaders to publicly condemn such acts, and urgent community outreach to address grievances through dialogue, preventing frustration from escalating into violence. He underscored that protecting the Head of State transcends partisanship, serving to protect the institutions and shared values that bind Zambians, insisting that disagreements must be resolved through discussion, law, and democratic processes, never through violence.
Clayson Hamasaka, in his remarks, strongly condemned the continuation of what he termed 'abuse' against the President by 'criminals,' likening it to the 'last kicks of a dying horse.' He recounted the brutal attacks the President and the first family endured while in opposition, with bullets, stones, and teargas, vowing that such experiences will never be repeated. Hamasaka commended security officers for opening fire, affirming that there will be 'law and order' and that 'peace is what Zambians voted for, and peace is what this President continues to deliver.' He took full responsibility for the last-minute decision to include Chiwempala in the President's schedule to meet citizens who had lost their livelihoods, reinforcing the commitment that the government will not tolerate a return to the 'division and violence of the PF.'
Bruce Kanema, UPND Youth Chairman for North Western Province, expressed profound disappointment at what he labeled the 'unruly, disrespectful and treasonous behaviour' of the 'jarabos' in Chiwempala. He suggested that in other countries, such actions could have led to bloodshed. Kanema questioned the effectiveness of intelligence in Chingola and at State House, implying a security lapse by subjecting the President's life to such danger. He even went so far as to suggest that 'many people being fired including three ministers' should result from this incident. Kanema warned against youths being exploited to throw stones at the President, particularly when the President had visited to assist those affected by business losses. He called for the law to take its course rigorously to prevent such behavior from spreading across the country, advocating for a 'serious clean up' involving both leaders implicated in past 'black mountains' issues and the 'jarabos' themselves, noting that similar stone-throwing incidents were last witnessed when UPND was in opposition.
Collectively, these statements highlight a unified resolve to reject political violence, uphold democratic principles, and ensure accountability for those who threaten national stability and the Head of State. The incident has intensified calls for robust security measures, legal prosecution of offenders, and concerted efforts from all sectors of society to foster peaceful civic engagement and dialogue.
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