26/08/2023
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security has clarified that they did not grant permission for the Patriotic Front (PF) to hold their scheduled political rally in Lusaka today. According to the Ministry's Public Relations Officer, Collins Hikalinda, it was emphasized that Mr. Jack Mwiimbu, the Minister, did not approve the public rally. The senior PF members who met with the Minister were expected to provide accurate and truthful information.
Hikalinda stated that the PF was directed to submit a fresh notification to the Office of the Inspector General of Police, indicating that there would be no public rally held by the Patriotic Front party today. He further expressed the Ministry's concern regarding the misrepresentation and misinformation surrounding the guidance given by the Minister to the PF regarding their notification to the Police.
Earlier in the week, three senior members of the Patriotic Front Party, led by Mr. Raphael Nakachinda, met with the Minister to follow up on their appeal for permission to hold the public rally, which had not been approved by the Police. The Minister informed them that he had considered their appeal and guided them to resubmit a notice to the Inspector General of Police, specifying a new date and venue in accordance with security concerns.
Hikalinda accused the senior PF officials of distorting the Minister's guidance and spreading false information to their party members and the general public through various media channels.
