President Hichilema Orders Crackdown on Violence, Illegal Firearms

President Hakainde Hichilema says he will not allow any thuggery to prevail in the country, warning that lawlessness can destroy the gains Zambia has made.

President Hichilema has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to immediately commence the retrieval of illegal firearms that may be in circulation.

Speaking during a press briefing today, President Hichilema said he will not allow those wishing to use violence as a tool for political expedience.

He stressed that the lawlessness witnessed before 2021 cannot be allowed to return, when political party functionaries perpetuated violence with impunity.

The President said no one will be allowed to damage property and reiterated that violence will not be condoned by any political party.

“Lawlessness can destroy all the gains if we don’t control it; all positives will be wiped away; we will not allow thuggery to come back,” President Hichilema said.

He added that thugs regrouping to perpetuate violence will not be allowed to return to their old habits.

President Hichilema said the country was emerging from a difficult time when political party operatives were free to engage in acts of violence without any form of punishment.

“You can’t hide behind ethnicity; everyone is equal. Don’t teach Zambians hatred; you can’t hide behind a political party,” President Hichilema said.

“Violence will not be tolerated from any political party,” President Hichilema said.