President Lungu his running mate Wina sworn in

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu were yesterday sworn in as Sixth Head of State at a packed Heroes stadium.

Chief Justice Irene Mambilima swore -in Mr. Lungu and his presidential running-mate, Inonge Wina.

The duo took their respective oaths at a fully packed Lusaka’s National Heroes Stadium and gave their collective vision for the next five years to 2021.

Mr Lungu secured 50.35 percent of the vote, against his main rival Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development who scored 47.6 percent of the votes. The opposition leader however disputed the results and thus petitioned the results in the Constitution Court for redress.

The newly inaugurated Republican President, said he was concerned on the spate of political violence’s the engulfed some parts of the country.

He said in his acceptance speech that he will for this reason appoint a commission of inquiry to investigate post-election violence experienced in certain parts of the country.

Though there were some pockets of hostility in certain parts of the country after the elections, Zambians generally conducted themselves in a peaceful manner, he said.

The Head of State told the gathering that included Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe among other invited foreign delegates and Heads of State that he would take kindly any public worker found wanting in any corrupt activity saying they will face the wrath of the law.

Mr. Lungu appealed to all Zambian people that he needs their full support during his five year term of office.

“I am very honoured that you have decided to make me your servant for another five-year mandate,” Mr. Lungu said.

Speaking at the same occasion, President Mugabe said Zambia’s elections were held in a free and fair environment as reported by the election observers.

Mr. Mugabe said Zambia has been known as a beacon of peace for many years in the region and warned perpetrators who want to be in office through violent means.

He has also encouraged the nation to avoid tribalism but remain as one people.

The veteran leader also spoke highly of Zambia’s first founding president Kenneth Kaunda for being a champion of peace on the African continent.

The inauguration of President Lungu and Ms Wina was witnessed by several foreign heads of states and dignitaries which included Botswana’s Ian Khama.

Tanzania President John Magufuli was represented by his Vice President, Paul Dlamini, the Deputy Prime Minister of Swaziland, Namibian Vice-President, Nicky Iyambo, Malawi’s Vice President, Saulos Chilima and Kenyan Deputy President, William Ruto.

Others who have attended are African Union Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Dr. Anthony Mothae Maruping, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretary-General Sindiso Ngwenya and African Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) Chairman, Joseph Chilengi.

Dr. Stergomena Lawrence, who is Southern African Development Community (SADC) Executive Secretary as well as Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Pacific and Consultative Conference and International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) representatives were also in attendance.

Former first republican president Dr. Kaunda and his fourth counterpart, Rupiah Banda and former first lady Thandiwe, former UNIP Secretary General Grey Zulu, PF SG Davies Chama and his deputy Mumbi Phiri, Emperor Mwant-Yamvo accompanied by his wife, Queen mother Odete, of the Lunda Empire for Angola, Congo DR and Zambia, some opposition leaders, former cabinet ministers, former Senior government officials and all Zambians from all walks of life also attended the historic milestone for President Lungu’s inaugural ceremony.