Expedite Investigations into Gassings, JCTR Counsels

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has warned that recent incidents of gassing could precipitate civil strife in the country.

Speaking on the latest reports of attacks against those suspected of being behind the gassings JCTR media and information officer Enock Ngoma stated, “We are now experiencing security failure as a country and if left unchecked, the situation has the potential to degenerate into a fully-fledged civil strife at national level. While JCTR appreciates the work that the Zambia Police Service is doing to ensure investigations are thoroughly carried out, at the same time expresses concern over the lengthened investigations.”

Ngoma explained that by now the police should have leads they can act on and advised the police to “engage relevant partners to embark on sensitisation of members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.”

“Our concern is that the situation has degenerated into total collapse of law and order and the citizenry are living in constant fear, hence the need for an urgent solution from authorities. Production and other economic activities are not operating at full capacity because people are living in fear,” Ngoma stated.

These comments come as Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo addressed parliament on the latest in connection with the gassings and subsequent attacks. He confirmed that more than 370 households in Copperbelt Province have been gassed, with in excess of 1,900 people affected. In North Western Province 30 households and 162 people were affected. Incidents have also been recorded in Lusaka and Northern Provinces.

Kampyongo warned that some of the information circulating on social media is not factual and cannot be backed by medical evidence. He noted that among the measures undertaken by government to guard against further incidents are the deployment of soldiers in some areas of Lusaka.

President Lungu has also commented on the recent spate of attacks in a Facebook post, rejecting accusations that government is in some way involved in the attacks.

“Zambians can be assured that we will get to the bottom of this and perpetrators will be brought to justice to face the full wrath of the law. Let me also express my disappointment with some people accusing government of gassing its citizens in order to bring confusion in the country,” he stated.

State House spokesperson Isaac Chipampe has also addressed media on the matter stating that the situation will take time to resolve.

“It is a difficult situation we are in. The President can assure the nation that security wings are doing all they can but you can’t expect this thing to be wiped out in one day.”