A report that former president Edgar Lungu was prevented from traveling to the Copperbelt yesterday has been refuted by the government.
According to State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka, the accusations should be rejected because no supporting documentation has been provided.
According to Mr. Hamasaka, it is unacceptable to make claims that the present United Party for National Development (UPND) government is the same as the former Patriotic Front (PF) administration in an effort to win support from the populace.
“We challenge anyone who claims that former President Edgar Lungu was blocked from flying to the Copperbelt yesterday to produce documentation to support their claim.
During his time as the leader of the opposition, current President Hakainde Hichilema complied with all the necessary requirements for using a private chartered aircraft and submitted all relevant documents to the appropriate authorities. However, the applications were rejected in writing and the documents to support this rejection are still available,” he said.
He said even in instances where public aircrafts were used, evidence exists to demonstrate how President Hichilema was blocked at airports such as Chipata.
“PF leaders were in government and are aware of the processes required to fly a chartered aircraft. Can they produce stamped documentation to support their claim? It is a crime to peddle false information to alarm the public,” he said.
