{"id":50438,"date":"2023-10-18T09:47:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T09:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zambia\/all-news\/upnd-governments-response-to-allegations-of-harassment-against-former-president-edgar-lungu"},"modified":"2023-10-18T09:47:00","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T09:47:00","slug":"upnd-governments-response-to-allegations-of-harassment-against-former-president-edgar-lungu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zambia\/all-news\/upnd-governments-response-to-allegations-of-harassment-against-former-president-edgar-lungu","title":{"rendered":"UPND Government\u2019s Response to Allegations of Harassment Against Former President Edgar Lungu"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Zambia. <\/strong><\/span>In recent times, allegations of government harassment against former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu have stirred public debate and concern. These claims, coupled with warnings of potential turmoil in the country, have prompted Acting Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson,Hon Makozo Chikote to issue a statement denying any such harassment and setting the record straight on the treatment of the former President and his family.<\/p>\n

Respect for the Former President:<\/b><\/p>\n

The UPND government maintains that it has consistently respected and upheld the institution of the former President, as mandated by the country\u2019s laws. This respect extends to various aspects of the former President\u2019s status, including privileges and entitlements. The government\u2019s stance aligns with established legal norms.<\/p>\n

Immunity Privilege:<\/b><\/p>\n

One of the key points the government emphasizes is that the immunity granted to former President Lungu is a privilege extended exclusively to him. This privilege does not apply to any of his family members. It is imperative to distinguish between the legal status of the former President and that of his relatives.<\/p>\n

Due Process for All:<\/b><\/p>\n

The statement emphasized the principle of equality before the law, stating that if any family member of the former President is suspected of wrongdoing, they, like any other citizen, are subject to investigation and other due legal processes. In this context, the rule of law prevails.<\/p>\n

Commitment to Upholding the Rule of Law:<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the government reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law for the benefit of all Zambian citizens, including the former President. The government considers itself bound to ensure that legal standards and principles are upheld, irrespective of one\u2019s status, in the interests of justice and fairness.<\/p>\n

GOVT HAS NOT HARASSED FORMER PRESIDENT EDGAR LUNGU IN ANY WAY-CHIKOTE<\/p>\n

In the recent past, some sections of society have continued to peddle allegations against Government that it is harassing former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. They have gone further to allege that this would plunge the country into turmoil.<\/p>\n

Government dismisses these allegations as unfortunate and unfounded.<\/p>\n

As stated on several occasions before, Government has not harassed the former President in any way since he left office.<\/p>\n

Contrary to the allegations, the institution of the former President has been respected and upheld by this Government, as per law established.<\/p>\n

The record is clear that the former President is fully enjoying his liberties and entitlements in accordance with his status, and as enshrined in the law.<\/p>\n

I ought to stress, however, that former President Lungu\u2019s immunity, is a privilege extended to him only and not any of his family members. This seems to be the confusion that some people are making.<\/p>\n

Any family member of the former President who is suspected of wrongdoing, like all other citizens, is subject to investigation and other due processes of the law.<\/p>\n

Government reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law for the benefit of all citizens of which the former President is part.<\/p>\n

Hon. Makozo Chikote, MP<\/p>\n

ACTING MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Zambia<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Zambia. In recent times, allegations of government harassment against former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu have stirred public debate and concern. These claims, coupled with warnings of potential turmoil in the country, have prompted Acting Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson,Hon Makozo Chikote to issue a statement denying any such […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":50437,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,12],"tags":[234,235,233],"class_list":["post-50438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-policy","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-zambia","tag-zambia"],"yoast_head":"\nUPND Government\u2019s Response to Allegations of Harassment Against Former President Edgar Lungu - Zambia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/zambia\/all-news\/upnd-governments-response-to-allegations-of-harassment-against-former-president-edgar-lungu\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UPND Government\u2019s Response to Allegations of Harassment Against Former President Edgar Lungu\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Africa-Press – Zambia. 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