‘STOP HARASSING CIVIL SERVANTS’
POLITICAL barbarism where some members of the Patriotic Front and District Commissioners are being harassed by suspected UPND members is disturbing and the police must deal with perpetrators decisively, UPND national spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa has said.
Mr Mweetwa urged the police to deal with anybody found committing acts of political impunity regardless of their political affiliation.
He said it was regrettable that some criminal elements had taken advantage of the transition period to commit atrocities which include harassment and intimidation of government workers.
Mr Mweetwa admitted that they have received disturbing information of civil servants who include DCs being harassed in some parts of the country by suspected UPND members. “As UPND Alliance, we have received disturbing reports of acts of impunity and political barbarism where some members of the Patriotic Front are harassed, including District Commissioners.
“I am aware of the DC for Chongwe who has filed in a complaint with us over the harassment that he has received. We want to reiterate the words of President –elect Hakainde Hichilema that genuine UPND members should stay away from any act of violence and harassment,” he said.
He said the harassment of PF members and DCs was at variance with pronouncements by the President-elect that his administration would be anchored on the rule of law as well as supremacy of the law.
Mr Mweetwa said there was no power vacuum in the country despite the change in administration, therefore, the police should act decisively with lawbreakers regardless of their political affiliation.
A number of DCs across the country have reportedly abandoned their duty posts in fear of victimisation and harassment after ruling PF lost the August 12 general elections.