Bear with me if I become a dictator to take action - Zambia's president

Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu has expressed the desire to take stringent action against suspected arsonists behind market fires in the capital city Lusaka.

He said upon arrival from the African Union Heads of States Summit in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa that the security services will “up their game” to curb such occurrences.

“If it means taking measures which are unprecedented we will do just that; some people will have to lose their rights. People who have lost their property have lost their livelihoods. So if I become a dictator for once bear with me,” President Lungu was quoted by local media.

He interacted with victims of the market fires who he assured of compensation and government support to restore their livelihood.

“Please do not take the law in your hands,” Lungu added as he spoke to the City Market victims when he visited the incident scene.

Lusaka’s biggest City Market was razed on Tuesday morning, hours after another market was also burned down.

The act is believed to have been perpetrated by arsonists as security services conduct their investigation.

Main opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has called on security services to “take a professional and thorough look as to what could have caused this unfortunate incident”.

It said in a statement signed by its National Chairperson Mutale Nalumango that it is too early to speculate.

“It is in the same vein that we call upon those that find comfort in politicizing such tragedies to lay off their hands and let independent professionals do their job unhindered,” the statement added while consoling with victims.

The Zambian police has increased the 300,000 Zambian kwacha ($32,894.74) reward it earlier announced to 500,000 Zambian kwacha ($54 181,63) for those who give information leading to the arrest of the suspected arsonists.