IT IS disheartening to see that the message of preserving peace we have been conveying over the last few days has been ignored by some citizens.
Just in case the message did not reach, we have been saying it is cardinal at this period when we are mourning our late Republican President Michael Sata to do so with dignity.
Dignity entails that we exhibit good neighbourliness towards others, even those with opposing views because our ultimate aim is to preserve unity and peace, the peace we have known as Zambians.
This is the peace that our country has been renowned for, a distinction that earned Zambia the good name of beacon of peace.
We are not the only ones who have made it our responsibility to call for peace and unity. Church leaders have been on our side and all those who do not want Zambia to lose its good name.
Let us remember that by some actions, it is very easy to destroy peace and unity at a point like this one.
The reports of the happenings at Belvedere Lodge in Lusaka on Monday evening do not bode well for the maintenance of peace and unity, especially when they emanate from the youth in the ruling party.
We keep repeating that we are still mourning our late President and we want to do so in a peaceful and united atmosphere, where no-one will be known by their affiliation but by the mere fact that we are all grief-stricken.
Our hearts remain heavy with sorrow and any action that fails to recognise this fact should be condemned.
Every well-meaning Zambian has the responsibility at the moment to ensure that the peace and unity we have known over the years is not lost in the flicker of a moment.   As people that cherish peace and unity, let us remain focused.
We should banish from our ranks, let alone from our minds, any manoeuvres that are contrary to our norms as Zambians.
As we have said before, respect for one another is more cardinal now than ever before and, much more so, respect for the late President.
We should remember that at this time of mourning, there are friends and well-wishers from other countries who have come to join us.
Others are still coming to join us.  These could include heads of State and other dignitaries and so we should stop and think about what kind of picture they will go away with about Zambians.
Do we want to show that we are people who have no respect for the dead and who, despite what has befallen us, want to ignore it and throw fists or pick up sticks against one another?
It is also important to consider members of the First Family and show that we are mourning with them and this will give them consolation to help them in the healing process.
We all have a duty to rally behind the family and render all the support it needs at this hour. Otherwise, any action that does not match the current decorum can be perceived to be callous.
There will be a time to solve whatever differences or misunderstandings may exist in the party ranks. For now, it is still mourning time.