Claim
On August 17 2022, The Candidates Facebook page published a post claiming that Republican President, Hakainde Hichilema, said that military personnel will start doing the work of councils since there is no war. The President is reported to have said this during the Special Meeting for Local Government Authorities under the theme “Unlocking socio-economic development opportunities locally”, that was held on August 16 2022 at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
Rating Justification
iVerify Zambia has determined the claim by The Candidates as misleading that “military personnel will start doing council works since there is no war”.
In a video obtained from the President’s Official Facebook page, Mr. Hichilema said roads should be constructed at lower costs. He said this during the Special Meeting for Local Government Authorities. Mr. Hichilema further said that they should use the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to do so. Adding, “We have asked National Service to be available, there is no war going on.” ZNS should be available to support the work of councils as they have the equipment, he said.
Therefore, the claim that ZNS will start doing council works since there is no war is misleading, as Mr. Hichilema was specifically referring to road works and not doing all council works when he remarked, “We have asked National Service to be available, there is no war going on.”