A SECURITY FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE COST THE NATION
In politics, comfort is dangerous it breeds carelessness and opens doors to betrayal. What happened today in Chingola should serve as a serious wake-up call to everyone responsible for the President’s safety.
During the Head of State’s address, a disturbing incident occurred that appeared to compromise his security.
Let us assume for a moment that what seemed like a harmless situation was actually a gun aimed at the President. The nation would be in mourning today.
That thought alone should shake every security official to the core and some of you in these offices we have told you several times. It is unacceptable that, in a country with established security systems, such a breach could happen right in front of the people.
Those entrusted with the President’s protection must take full responsibility. The safety of the Head of State is not just about one individual it represents the stability, unity, and future of the nation. When the President’s safety is compromised, the entire country is put at risk.
It is clear that some groups are actively undermining the President and the government. This explains how certain individuals have managed to escape lawful custody, as even some of those entrusted with protecting the President appear to be aligned with opposing political agendas. I have personally raised these concerns with the relevant authorities, and while some initially dismissed or altered the narrative, today’s events serve as a vindication of those warnings. In politics you must have five eyes to survive.
Some of us have been raising these concerns for the past five years, repeatedly pointing out the same security loopholes that continue to be ignored. The safety of the President should be the country’s number one priority it is the foundation of national stability and order. Unfortunately, some individuals within the system have been too stubborn or complacent to listen when we offer technical advice. This culture of disregard and overconfidence must end before it leads to irreversible consequences.
It’s time for accountability, introspection, and reform. The security of the President should never depend on luck it must depend on competence, vigilance, and professionalism.
It is my sincere hope that this incident serves as a wake-up call to President Hakainde Hichilema. Mr. President, we only live once; exercise utmost caution in dealing with those around you.
Sikaile C Sikaile
Katombola Constituency Independent Aspiring MP for 2026
Cost the nation what exactly? One man’s meat is another man’s poison. Let us not stereotype citizens as if we all like the same thing.
Mulebako serious.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
You are demon-possessed. You mean the death of the president would be meat ro you?
You are bringing curses on your family and generations to come. Be careful what you wish on others.
This event seems to have been a spotenious act of lawlessness most probably induced by illicit drugs and fueled by mob psychology..It ended just as quickly as it started and President was able to finish his itinerary for the day without further incidents
However,it is surprising that both police and Zambia Security Intelligence Service does not have a special squad with modern surveillance equipment, some as simple as motion cameras and binoculars.Zambians were treated with self-censored TV news items instead of unclassified police footage .These could have helped to identify the ringleaders and how a riot begins and is co-ordinated.They could also have helped to determine whether faces at Senseli were the same from Kasenseli or indeed,the riot was an isolated incident
In modern times agencies tasked with upholding peace and security must never operate blindly.There has been calls to modernize police as a matter of urgency.Please convert one of the under utilized university into an institute for law and order studies.Courses in the Management/Operations sciences offers skills and knowledge in efficient scarce resource-allocation., vantage positions for installing hidden surveillance equipment, right personnel recruitment, training and deployment and many other such modern methods for crime prevention and prosecution
These methods, must however,not be used for suppression but for progressive interventions such as identifying ringleaders for priority socio-economic empowerment and as positive influences
While this an unwelcome incident, it is not surprising. The post on Zambia Observer on the burning of markets by Shishiwa Shishiwa can not be a coincidence. Shishiwa’s allegation is related to the markets and what followed with the burning of the market doesn’t seem to be an accident. It’s likely some rogues have been hired to burn markets and cause insecurity. The Chiwempala market incident was organised and preplanned. The Coperbelt police commissioner and his crew should wake up and get all these hooligans behind bars. It’s just a few months ago when a major incident of looting, damaging equipment and breaking people’s property happened in Chingola. You can not negotiate with a criminal gang or gangs. It’s time before moving on all the Jerabos and that were involved in the previous riotous behaviour were rooted out. No investor is going to investment in a nation where security is compromised. First of all the venue for the meeting was not right and ZNS officers from Kamfinsa should have taken care of security arrangements at the venue with a huge perimeter codorn around the arena. The security and organisers should know that PF is trying very hard to get into power and are ready to do anything at any cost to achieve that. After all when they were in power they used junkies to cause violence to extend their stay in power. It’s likely some who were involved were hired by some opposition groups.
I agree that intelligence should accept responsibility and, if underfunded, be upgraded with new technology.
The Chingola UPND needs to be more proactive in understanding the current issues of the town.
It’s time the government should take firm action on the Chingola Jerabos without fear of political consequences, as others are watching.
We expect the ZIS to do better next time
I think the word security failure or security lapse are the best words to describe the Chingola incidence. Starting from OP down to the Police, UPND Youths and the general Membership, people over relaxed, otherwise they should have known and should not have allowed those disgruntled boys to come near where the President was. The enemies are always there and the security of the president should never be compromised. We don’t have to take anything for granted because the devil is always at work through some people. There are those souls that were just determined to embarrass the president in public but the truth will be known soon. Those enemies of our country will be sorted.
Security failure or insecurity in general is bad and indeed can cost the nation. Anyone now can attest that Zambian economy is one of the stable and growing economies in the Region and Africa, the Kwacha has stabilized and a lot of direct investment has come into the the country. So by promoting insecurity, we are going to scare the Investors at the same time destroy everything that we have achieved under UPND. The government also should be tough on these guys, those who want to embarrass the president should be embarrassed themselves, embarrass them before they embarrass you.