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By Scoop Reporter
THE Government has warned Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi and human rights defender Brebnar Changala against issuing alarming statements over the disappearance of Petauke Member of Parliament (MP) Emmanuel Jay Banda.
Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu sounded the warning this afternoon during a media briefing at which he said the Government had no hand in the disappearance of Mr. Banda but that it will do everything possible to ensure that he was found safe and that perpetrators would be brought to book.
He challenged Ms. Nawakwi and Mr. Changala to present the evidence they claim to have to the security wings instead of rushing to the media to make unsubstantiated claims against the Government.
“You may be aware, fellow countrymen and women, that yesterday, a number of statements were made to the media by Hon. Edith Nawakwi, Brebnar Changala, and others which are in public domain, indicating that the Government is involved in the alleged abduction and they are demanding that the Government returns the Honourable Independent Member of Parliament. I want to state that these statements are highly mischievous and are meant to incite the members of the public against the Government.
“We, as the Government, wish to state very clearly and categorically that the Government has no hand in the missing of the Honourable Member of Parliament for Petauke Central. There is no benefit whatsoever in ensuring that the Member of Parliament goes missing to this Government. The interest of this Government is to ensure that every member of the public is protected by law and that is why we are doing everything possible to ensure that those who are behind this sad saga are brought to book and we would like to appeal to the members of the public who have the information pertaining to the missing of Hon. J.J Banda to come forward and give information to the security agencies,” Mr. Mwiimbu said.
He urged those who were making statements accusing the Government of being behind the alleged abduction to stop making utterances aimed at inciting the public to rise against the Government and look beyond politics as the missing MP has a family and a constituency which he represents.
“. I wish to state in no uncertain terms to those individuals who are making those allegations which are alarming and seditious in nature that this is tantamount to inciting the public and should be stopped forthwith. Let us take note that Hon. JJ Banda is not only a Member of Parliament for Petauke Central. He has a family.
“Whatever statements we make which are inimical to the interest of the family should not be tolerated. I would like to urge opposition political party members and leaders who are trying to take political mileage out of the sad incident to stop forthwith. Let us all work together as members of the community and citizens of this country to ensure that our colleague is found safe and alive,” he said.
He challenged Ms. Nawakwi and Mr. Changala to give the information which they claim they have to the Zambia Police Services and other security wings to ensure that the missing MP is found.
“It would appear from the statements that have been issued by the two, and others, that they have special information which they are holding leading to the abduction of our colleague. If they have that information, let that information be made available so that members of the public are assured that our brother is brought back to his family and electorates in Petauke Central. As I indicated earlier, please, let’s stop making mischievous statements. We have noted with concern that whenever there is an unfortunate issue that occurs in this country, certain individuals are always in the forefront making alarming and seditious statements which are not in the interest of this country.
“Let the security wings of this country do their due diligence and investigate the matter thoroughly. The nation will be advised on the outcome. We will not hide anything over this matter. We have no interest in ensuring that our colleague misses. Honourable J.J Banda does not belong to any political party as we have heard others make pronouncements. He is an Independent Member of Parliament who has served his contingency diligently and we have been working with him as the Government in various sectors of governance. We may have had differences with him pertaining to policies but that does not warrant us to do anything against him. We will not follow what others used to do when they were in Government. We will ensure that whenever an issue arises, we follow what the law says,” he said.
Ms. Nawakwi and Mr. Changala yesterday accused the Government of being behind the disappearance of Mr. Banda and have demanded for his immediate release.
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