By REBECCA MUSHOTA –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu is well and enjoying the very best of his health, allaying rumours that he is sick as circulated on social media.
The President was speaking yesterday during a special interview on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) television, where he paid an impromptu visit in the morning.
“I don’t know where this is coming from. Everybody can fall sick every now and then. Falling ill is a personal thing but for now, I am enjoying good health. I am very well,” Mr Lungu said.
He said it was unfortunate that there were such rumours on social and in the mainstream media.
Mr Lungu said the media should be wary of what they reported, because the information they gave out had potential to put off investors and affect tourism.
He said Zambians were fortunately mature people, who could not fall for cheap propaganda as they enjoyed democracy.
The Head of State, however, would not use cheap methods such as pushing for the closing of some media institutions in order to stop irresponsible journalism.
He said Zambia was recording a huge number of tourists, a development that should not be jeopardised.
Mr Lungu also said he was confident that the Patriotic Front (PF) was going to win this year’s general elections.
He said the party had done its homework and was sure of getting a clear 50 per cent plus one vote at the first attempt.
PF has the best package of a President and a running mate in Inonge Wina.
The President said the PF was about to continue with its campaign programmes following the launch of the campaigns and the party manifesto in Lusaka and Ndola, respectively.
He would soon be visiting all the provincial headquarters and other towns to continue campaigning.
Mr Lungu said campaigns were going on well and Zambia was comparatively doing better despite a few skirmishes.
Police would not hesitate to punish perpetrators of violence and Zambians would not tolerate the vice.
Mr Lungu said peace was of paramount importance and should be safeguarded.
He said he had a genuine interest in Zambians and had, therefore, opened a Facebook application to meet people and hear their views.
Mr Lungu said it was difficult to access people while one was a President because of security measures and hoped that the Internet application would help ease the situation.
“People matter a lot. Facebook gives me an opportunity to discuss with as many people as possible,” President Lungu said.