The Committee of Citizens has challenged Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata to tell the nation which part of the constitution or subsidiary legislation in Zambia allows Zambians to practice homosexuality.
Committee of Citizens executive director Gregory Chifire told a media briefing in Lusaka today that he has a recorded interview in which the Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata was discussing the legality of homosexuality in Zambia with delegates from Denmark.
Mr. Sata told the Danish media that there are laws in Zambia that recognise the existence of gays and lesbians.
Mr. Sata said there was need for Zambia to implement the laws regarding gays and lesbians in the country in line with what other countries had done.
He told a crew from Denmark recently which included Lene Winther and Thomas Duus that the laws had not been implemented and expressed displeasure that his stand on the gays and Lesbians had been used for propaganda.
“Some people are saying I am talking to you people because I want to bring back gays and I tell them that listen, the laws of Zambia recognise the gays. The laws of Zambia recognise the lesbians,” Mr Sata said.
Lene and Duus were in Zambia to investigate the impact of Chinese investment in Zambia and its value to the Zambian people.
Mr.Chifire has accused the PF leader of using the issue of embracing gay rights as an attempt to get funding from certain western countries that are pushing for constitutional recognition of gay rights in African countries.
Mr. Chifire has since called on the clergy in the country to immediately and strongly reprimand Mr. Sata for allegedly attempting to mortgage the country’s Christian values.
He says the clergy should give categorical statements on the dangers of Zambia accepting gay rights as they have a potential to destroy the moral fiber of society.
And Forum for Leadership Search executive secretary Edwin Lifwekelo says it is the duty of all leaders in the country to uphold Christian principles and values adding that Mr. Sata’s statement should not be condoned by any peace loving citizens.
