Remain peaceful after election case ruling—Police
Police in Chikwawa have urged the faith community to ask their followers to maintain peace before and after the presidential election nullification petition case court ruling in February.
The call was made on Friday to Muslims during their Ijtma prayers and on Sunday to Christians during church services.
Speaking on Sunday at Mitole Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), Chikwawa Police Station prosecutions officer Helix Kamkweche said churches play a critical role in bringing peace in the country.
He said:”As a church, you are the most influential in preaching peace. Whatever you say is mostly adhered to since it is driven by faith.
“To this effect, we appeal to you to sensitise your members to observe calm and accept any verdict, even if it doesn’t go in their favour .
But Kamkweche warned that the law will not spare anyone perpetrating violence in the name of protests.
“We’ll quickly move into action and arrest anyone breaking the law regardless of their religious or political affiliation,” he said.
Mitole CCAP moderator the Reverend James Mingu hailed the police for taking peace-building calls into the church.
“We welcome the engagement on this issue to ensure that there is peace and tranquillity, even before and after the election case ruling.” he said.
In a separate interview, Chikwawa Islamic Centre principal Sheikh Majid Allan said they have embraced the call for peace ahead of the election case verdict. “We Muslims believe in peace as our fundamental principle and we will never slide into any acts of violence, whatever the outcome will be,” he said.
