Government Warns Political Violence Will Face the Law

Government has warned that anyone involved in political violence will face the law, regardless of their political affiliation.

Home Affairs and Internal Security Permanent Secretary Dickson Matembo said the Ministry was concerned about reports and videos of violence circulating on various media platforms.

Mr Matembo said Government had received information suggesting that some individuals were staging attacks and blaming rival political parties in an attempt to provoke unrest and create a false narrative around the election campaigns.

He was speaking in Lusaka today during a joint media briefing with Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana.

Mr Kawana said Government had uncovered what it described as plans to orchestrate political violence aimed at portraying Zambia and President Hakainde Hichilema negatively ahead of the August 13 General Election.

He said some incidents recorded during the campaigns appeared to have been planned to provoke police action and falsely link the ruling party to acts of violence.

Mr Kawana also accused some media outlets of amplifying what he described as propaganda intended to advance opposition political interests and undermine the President and Government during the campaign period.