Ruling UPND accuses opposition of inciting unrest through inflammatory statements (Video)

The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has accused the opposition of instigating unrest in the country through inflammatory statements.

Party Secretary-General, Batuke Imenda, castigated opposition leaders, especially those in the former ruling Patriotic Front, for being at the forefront of such statements.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka on Tuesday, Imenda said the inflammatory statements, which had the capacity to divide the country, were issued following the disappearance of Petauke Central lawmaker Emmanuel Jay Banda.

He stated that some leaders had been given an opportunity to govern the country but Zambians saw that they had failed to meet their expectations and decided to vote for President Hakainde Hichilema.

“Basically, all that we want to say is that the issue is not of Honourable Jay Jay because it’s being handled by the police. We do not want to be found in a queue of people making utterances and accusations on an issue which is being professionally handled by the police,” he said.

Imenda stated that the UPND wants the police to do their work and finish it.

However, he said the party’s concern was the utterances coming from the opposition following Banda’s disappearance.

He highlighted that some people had gone to the extent of issuing threats, which were quoted by the media, saying that had agitated people of a particular region.

“When we say ‘One Zambia, One Nation,’ what comes to our mind is unity, peace, and tranquility, to hold our country together and not in the manner the so-called opposition leaders are coming out with dangerous statements,” Imenda said.

He cited the reaction in Eastern Province following a statement made by a certain leader as one that was infl ammatory and dangerous to the wellbeing of the country.

Imenda said the opposition was free to offer constructive criticism but should not issue divisive statements that might set the country on fire and negate the development achieved so far.

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