14 November 2008
KITWE police yesterday withdrew the permit issued to the Patriotic Front (PF) to peacefully demonstrate against President Rupiah Banda's victory in the October 30 elections citing security of the public.
And various stakeholders yesterday condemned the riot that disrupted business and left various properties damaged in the city.
Kitwe district police chief, Daniel Kasonde said the police had cancelled the PF demonstration which was due to be held tomorrow.
Mr Kasonde said the situation was very delicate for an event of that nature to be held.
"The current situation is so unstable and tempers among the people are so high," said Mr Kasonde.
Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Jennipher Musonda said some notable opposition political party leaders are alleged to have masterminded the riot that took place in Kitwe yesterday.
And Mrs Musonda has urged all peace-loving Zambians to condemn and reject any violence that some politicians may try to fuel in the country.
Mrs Musonda was speaking in Kitwe yesterday evening after inspecting some of the shops that were damaged by youths who were alleged to have been mobilised from Kalulushi by one of the political party officials.
"We have information that some taxi drivers and street children were paid by some notable political party leaders to cause the riot. Police are pursuing the issue. This was a paid riot and I urge all peace-loving Zambians to condemn this behaviour. We are a peaceful nation and let us nurture our peace.
"However, I would like to assure the Kitwe residents that everything is under control and they should go on with their business. As Government, we are in-charge and we shall not allow anarchy in the country," Mrs Musonda said.
And Action National Group for Emerging Leaders (Angel) Copperbelt Chapter chairman, Thabo Kawana condemned yesterday's violence.
Speaking in an interview in Kitwe shortly after relative calm had been restored in the town, Mr Kawana said it was unfortunate that people should take advantage of the prevailing political situation to cause confusion in the nation.
He said the violent protest by suspected PF cadres was most unfortunate because the arrest of Radio Icengelo station manager, Frank Bwalya by police was something that was done in accordance with the law.
Mr Kawana said as much as Father Bwalya was doing his job as a journalist, people should understand that police were also doing their normal routine job.
He said there was need for young people to desist from engaging in acts of violence because property being destroyed was for the betterment of their lives.
"Young people should desist from engaging in acts of violence because Zambia is not only for the old generation. It is in fact us the young who should be more responsible, bearing in mind that the future will face us," Mr Kawana said.
And Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) acting secretary general, Ian Mkandawire condemned the violence and the destruction of public property by suspected PF cadres.
Mr Mkandawire, who advised residents to maintain calm, said resorting to property destruction was not the best way of expressing displeasure because property had nothing to do with the political misunderstanding.
A Kitwe pastor also condemned the rioters who allegedly took part in the looting of shops in the city centre following disturbances over the arrest of Fr Bwalya.
Pastor Godfrey Kafunga of Christian Faith Ministries of Kitwe described the disruption of public services as a sad development which could have been avoided had both parties allowed common sense to prevail.
"That type of expression cannot be allowed to continue, at least not in our land that has been declared as a Christian nation and I hope the authorities will use their powers to ensure culprits are brought to book," he said.
Opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) Copperbelt provincial chairman, Teddy Kangwa condemned Fr Bwalya for allegedly behaving like a political party cadre when he was a clergyman who was supposed to preach reconciliation, love, peace and unity in the country.
Mr Kangwa commended the police for arresting and detaining Fr Bwalya for allegedly issuing unpalatable, provocative statements aimed at inciting people to rise against the Government.
"As much as we support the work Radio Icengelo is doing, the comments of Radio Icengelo station manager are provocative and have gone to extremes.
"What is happening in other countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda where there are wars started with inciting people by others," Mr Kangwa said.
He charged that Fr Bwalya was abusing his powers and that if he wanted to join politics, he should come out in the open instead of using his position to fight political battles.
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