WHY THE FURORE?
WHY is the whole of the Zambia Police Service in panic mode over former President Edgar Lungu taking a stroll in Lusaka’s Central Business District?
Then the whole state machinery goes to town claiming it is a sign of the country’s growing democracy amid threats of arrest.
It is certain that both the UPND and its government are dead shocked by the massive and thunderous reception former President Lungu received from Zambians when he made an impromptu visit to Lusaka’s CBD.
How else would one explain the reaction of the former head of State walk in town from both the government and the UPND?
For a start, there is no law that stops the former President from walking the streets of Lusaka or any part of the country.
After all, serve for being President Hakainde Hichilema’s predecessor, Mr Lungu is a private citizen having foregone the privileges of a former head of State.
He has reverted to being an ordinary citizen who happens to be heading a political party which, like other opposition parties, is not even allowed to hold any public rallies
The Zambia Police has warned that former President Lungu risks being arrested and prosecuted for taking walks and making public appearances, which according to them, was an abrogation of the law.
According to the Zambia Police, public walks and appearances by former President Lungu are a violation of the law and that the law would be applied against him.
Police spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, in a statement yesterday said the decision by former President Lungu to walk in the streets of Lusaka constituted unlawful assembly and that the police shall not consider his status for causing what he termed disrupting peace and public order.
Former President Lungu on Thursday almost brought the CBD to a virtual standstill when he made an impromptu tour, attracting hundreds of enthusiasts who mobbed him complaining about the high cost of living under the UPND government.
Amid shouts of “alebwelelapo,” Mr Lungu took time to walk to Soweto Market where he was mobbed by hundreds of traders and onlookers shouting Bunga wadula boss (mealie meal has become too expensive).
While Mr Lungu is a political figure, that should not deny him his right to walk and mingle freely with other Zambians – much as the political establishment might not welcome it.
As a political scientist at the University of Zambia, Alex Ngoma said, former President Lungu was within his rights to take a walk in the CBD of Lusaka.
Dr. Ngoma said there was no law in Zambia that confines a former president to his home, he has the right to move at any time.
He said just like celebrities, Mr. Lungu being a public figure attracts attention which was not his fault and he did not stop and to address anyone meaning his walk does not qualify to be a public gathering.
It is wrong for the police to insinuate that former President Lungu was breaking the law by walking the streets of Lusaka. We do not think he is under house arrest.
The police cannot accuse Mr Lungu of abusing his freedoms unless they want to be political.
As noted by Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes acting Executive Director, Arthur Muyunda, the police has not been giving the opposition space to be selling their message to the people.
We agree with Lusaka lawyer, Jonas Zimba who says former President Lungu is a free citizen and does not need police permission to exercise his freedom of movement by taking a walk in town, jogging or indeed going to church.
Mr Zimba has challenged the State to proceed and arrest former President Lungu if it is getting offended or irritated by his public appearances and exercising his rights of movement, association and worship.
Or do the police want to be told when Mr Lungu wants to step out of his yard?