Attack on ECL was bad – KAZALA
21.10.24
Hon. Richard Kazala, the former Nchanga lawmaker has described as deplorable and unfortunate, attacks on sixth President of Zambia Edgar Lungu in Chingola by violent UPND cadres over the weekend.
Kazala adds that he ´knows the identity´ of the Lungu assailants and has since called for their arrest in order to restore sanity in Chingola and send a clear message against violence of all form and manner.
“The former President Edgar Lungu´s entourage was blocked by UPND cadres and stoned in my presence and the presence of other residents of the larger Chingola community,” said hon. Kazala in a taped message gone viral.
“I know the people that attacked former President Edgar Lungu and his entourage they insulted him, demeaned him and showed total disrespect it was so sad to witness,” the former legislator said in the Bemba audio.
Hon. Kazala, a famer and businessman of Chingola said, “I know these guys, the assailants, I know these people I can identity them.”
The former legislator said because of the attacks, President Lungu´s security detail made a tactful decision to take a back route and left Chingola for Lusaka to escape the violence and potential bloodshed.
“President Lungu and his team abandoned the burial ceremony for the sake of peace and safety of other mourners in Chingola using another route in order to avoid bloodshed,” said hon. Kazala.
The responsibility of chief mourner according to Kazala, a close family member of the Kambwilí´s was passed onto hon. Given Lubinda, the PF vice President by President Lungu.
Hon. Kazala said after a brazen attack on Lungu, “the violent UPND cadres went to funeral house of the Kambwili´s ran down the shelter tents and poured sand in food pots and plates meant for mourners to eat after the burial, a matter police and government representative Chipoka Mulenga, a cabinet minister is aware of.”
Hon. Kazala is wondering, “why Mr. Chipoka Mulenga has not reported the unruly cadres to the police up to now or the three cars that chased President Lungu out of town.”
Following the incident hon. Kazala said, “I don’t feel safe as a Zambian, especially if violence can erupt in the presence of the police and a government minister.”
Hon. Kazala said, “what I saw today (Sunday attack on ECL) is wrong, UPND must change, the former President deserves respect. The devil is at work here…Zambia needs peace and christianity I implore the police to arrest the UPND cadres that attacked the former President Edgar Lungu who did not provoke anyone he just came to mourn the Kambwili brothers like all of us.”
Edgar Lungu is the only former President in Africa without police protection and has since arrived back home in Lusaka the capital after escaping the brutal attack.
His successor President Hichilema has stripped him of all police protection and a retirement package after he decided to return to politics and seek re-election in the next polls set for August 2026.
The police have issued no comment on the attack of the former head of state.
Source: Richard Kazala audio tape