By JAMES KUNDA –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has warned people attempting to cause political instability in Western Province to discontinue their mission or they will face the wrath of the law.
Mr Lungu said the police would not tolerate individuals perpetrating anarchy in any part of the country, adding that law breakers would be prosecuted in line with the Public Order Act (POA).
A Western Province-based group calling itself ‘Newly-formed Barotseland Liberation Army’ has been distributing flyers indicating that politicians from outside the region would not be allowed to hold political gatherings in the region.
However, Mr Lungu said he concurred with Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja for cautioning the Newly-formed Barotseland Liberation Army that its actions would be cornered by the long arm of the law.
“When you break the law, the law visits you, that’s the normal practice. So those who want to break the law should be warned that it is not in their interest to do so because the law will visit them certainly,” the Head of State said.
He said this at City Airport in Lusaka yesterday shortly before his departure for Eastern Province where he was expected to officiate at this year’s Nc’wala traditional ceremony tomorrow.
The President said it was imperative that Zambians respected the law as the nation wanted to promote peace ahead of the general elections.
Mr Lungu said he was willing to participate in any national dialogue to denounce political violence.
He welcomed calls for national dialogue on political unity by institutions such as the Law Association of Zambia.
Mr Lungu, however, said any institution anchoring such an activity should be impartial.
“It’s a welcome call. Who is going to anchor the dialogue? It’s critical, probably the Church, and the Church should not be biased.
“Me, I am keen to talk to everybody, so find out who will anchor the talks, whether they are neutral people, interest-free, we’ll go ahead and meet, no problem,” the President said.
He allayed rumours that the Patriotic Front (PF) had employed militia groups to secure party officials during public events.
Mr Lungu said his party instead had ‘marshals’ who were merely there to instill discipline and orderliness during party proceedings.
He said the POA provided for the recognition of marshals.
“We don’t have anything; you may wish to call the security in my political party militia, but marshals who are there to protect the vulnerable, so to speak, in the party when our women or our men are doing their business.
“I think that’s a normal practice in political parties. So for me, unless you turn them (marshals) into a military force, then you are breaking the law,” President Lungu said.
As Zambia is a member State of the Great Lakes region, Mr Lungu touched on the prevailing political situation in Uganda following the recent presidential election.
“Uganda is a sovereign State and they have their own laws and rules and regulations. They have their own bodies manning elections. I don’t know, it’s for those who were there to tell us,” the Head of State said.
He also conveyed his condolences to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) over the death of journalist Faith Kandaba.
“It’s a shock to me personally. May her soul just rest in peace,” Mr Lungu said upon recognising a ZNBC reporter at the airport.