President Edgar Lungu of Zambia has threatened to declare a state of emergency if people do not stop setting ablaze public properties in the wake of the arrest of the country’s leading opposition leader.
The Zambian leader, while addressing supporters today, however said the state of emergency will only apply to areas where there is trouble and not the entire country.
Zambia has witnessed sporadic fires where public buildings have been set ablaze since the arrest of Hakainde Hichilema who has been slapped with a treason charge.
On Thursday, the police warned people behind the fires that their days were numbered as they will soon be arrested. The police suspect the fires were deliberately started to cause panic and alarm in the country.
Meanwhile Lungu laughed off claims that he will step down following the intense political environment caused by the arrest of the opposition leader. Lungu narrowly emerged winner of last year’s elections which have been disputed by the main opposition leader.
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