. Lungu

By MILDRED KATONGO,  RABECCA CHIPANTA  and REBECCA MUSHOTA –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has urged Zambians to avoid confrontation and not to revenge even when provoked.
Mr Lungu said it was wrong for Zambians to engage in political violence and revenge when provoked.
The Head of State said on arrival at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola yesterday that people should report anyone involved in political violence instead of revenging because vengeance belonged to God.
“You know people who are violent from their speech. I am saying no to violence and do not revenge even when you are provoked. If you are being attacked, report any violent activities to the police.
“I am asking you not to revenge because vengeance belongs to God for He knows best what is supposed to be done for this country. My peaceful, loving people will continue to live in peace. I was not taught to fight or revenge when provoked,” Mr Lungu said.
President Lungu, who was in Ndola to watch the match between Zambia and Congo Brazaville, said revenging when provoked only destroyed the peace that existed in the country as many people, especially the poor, suffered the most.
President Lungu said he would meet the churches on Tuesday next week to discuss the cause of political violence which was being witnessed in the country, and to find the way forward.
Mr Lungu said he was disappointed to note that some opposition political parties were accusing him of manipulating the process to dialogue with the churches to find a lasting solution to the violence that was taking root in the country.
He said it did not matter whether the meeting was called by him or the churches, adding that what was important was that there would be discussions to find a solution to the violence in the country.
Mr Lungu said because the opposition political parties were violent, they had refused to be part of the meeting with churches to find a solution to political violence.
He said political violence was dirty and the people that practised it were equally dirty.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has said it is unfortunate that his opponents always find something to condemn in his leadership.
He said he was not surprised that opposition parties had condemned his salary increment that was recently approved.
The President was speaking yesterday afternoon at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport shortly before he left for Ndola.
He was responding to a question from journalists who said his opponents felt that he did not deserve the salary increment because he had not done much for the people.
“Are you surprised that they said that? Do you expect them to say anything good about me?” Mr Lungu asked. “We need to change our mentality in Zambia.”
He said Zambian politics should change to a stage where political opponents could criticise each other constructively and be open to dialogue.
Mr Lungu said he was able to acknowledge whenever something positive came out of the opposition because he had respect for his opponents.
He said he was working hard for Zambians and he deserved every amount of money he was earning.
The President said Zambians were the best judges of his work, and that they could see what he had accomplished from the time he assumed office.
He urged the opposition to be sincere and think of what was best for Zambia rather than merely attacking his leadership.
“Take, for instance, the meeting called by the bishops, they are now saying I am duping the Church. The meeting was called by the Church and I agreed. They should also agree to come to the table and discuss matters,” President Lungu said.