LIFWEKELO SAYS JJ BANDA MUST BE DEALT WITH DECISIVELY FOR INSULTING PRESIDENT.
Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General for Administration Edwin Lifwekelo has called for former Petauke Central Member of Parliament Emmanuel Jay-Jay Banda to be held accountable over alleged insulting remarks and threats against President Hakainde Hichilema.
Mr Lifwekelo said the President represents the highest office in the country and that freedom of expression should not be used to justify insults or threats against the Head of State.
He said alleged threats against the President’s life went beyond political expression and raised serious concerns about national peace and security.
Mr Lifwekelo insisted that Mr Banda must take responsibility for his alleged actions, adding that anyone found to have facilitated or participated in the alleged conduct should also be held accountable.
He urged citizens to condemn insulting behaviour, arguing that such conduct should not be justified in the name of democracy or constitutional freedoms.
Mr Lifwekelo expressed confidence that the courts would handle Mr Banda’s case and similar matters with the urgency they deserve, considering the public interest surrounding them.
He also commended the security agencies involved in bringing Mr Banda back to Zambia to answer the charges against him.
Meanwhile, local and regional civil society organisations have condemned the vulgar language allegedly used by Mr Banda in online videos, while calling for respect for due process and the rule of law.
In a joint statement issued in Lusaka yesterday, the organisations said any criminal conduct established against Mr Banda should be addressed through lawful prosecution and established judicial procedures.
“We do not condone the language Mr Banda has used in his online videos; it is vulgar, and parts of it may well be criminal in nature,” the organisations said.
The organisations stressed that justice must be administered in accordance with the law and that all allegations should be properly examined through the appropriate judicial channels.
They also congratulated Zambia on its election to the United Nations Human Rights Council, saying the position places greater responsibility on the country to demonstrate its commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
Zambian Watch.