Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has said government values its partnership with the church and is therefore reluctant to engage it on national issues through the media.
Mr. Sakeni said the Patriotic Front (PF) government has an open door and inclusive policy in which all stakeholders were free to engage in dialogue over issues of concern in building a better and prosperous nation.
He said government will not depart from its commitment of upholding the fundamental tenets of democracy, good governance and the rule of law as espoused in its party manifesto.
Mr. Sakeni was responding to a pastoral letter issued by the Catholic Church in Lusaka yesterday in which the church raised a number of issues on the state of the nation.
In its pastoral letter signed by 13 Catholic Bishops, among them the Archbishop of Lusaka Telesphore Mpundu, Archbishop of Kasama Ignatius Chama and Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) vice president Alick Banda, the church expressed its views on numerous issues currently dominating headlines in the media.
The issues included the Public Order Act, the constitution making process, the prevailing political situation in the country, the Barotseland situation, alleged lack of political integrity among the political party leaders, by elections, the judiciary, human rights and the registration of sim cards.
ZANIS
chisiiiiiiilu iwe
No Sakeni, thats not what Kabimba said. You should have waited for Kabimba to direct ka George Chella to insult the holy people, what will Kabimba do with his 3 page response he composed?
At least na mumfwa. Just behave maturely. The pastoral letter is like a press statement hence it has to go to the media.
The fact that Hon Sakeni is responding tells that the message has gone home.
Implementing what has been pointed out in the Bishop’s letter
“ACT JUSTLY AND WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD”
not only points to what the lives of Zambians should be, but also what a LISTENING Govt ought to be.
let he who has ears, hear what the good book says.
“ACT JUSTLY AND WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD”
*******************************
#2. You remind me of the song
“Apa na apa ba neighbour,
tapali icibumba x2
obviously namumfwa imwe ….
Nga kukonka.
Aban balala, balala!”
God bless mother Zambia (Zambeziland….)
Ok, wise enough not to engage in a tangle tusle with those Bishops. Beware not antagonise them. Otherwise let’s try to swallow our pride and look at these things fairly and squarely. It is to early to start receiving pastoral letters. Let’s just deliver what we can and let other Zambians enjoy their rights. Winter Kabimba is a danger to PF. Clip his powers…
He said government will not depart from its commitment of upholding the fundamental tenets of democracy, good governance and the rule of law as espoused in its party manifesto.
BUT US ORDINARY ZAMBIANS, THAT’S NOT WHAT WE ARE SEEING THE PF IS DOING. INSTEAD THE PF IS WORKING IN CONTRAST TO THEIR OWN MANIFESTO IF THATS THE CASE. IF THEY THINK ITS PF CADRES ONLY WHO VOTE TO CONTINUE THEIR STAY IN GOVERNMENT, LET THEM CONTINUE BURING THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND LIKE MMD USED TO DO.
NOT GOOD AT OO!!
Let the gvt listen
There is no way the government can engage the Catholics on the matters raised.
All what has been said is true.
A responsible and sensible person should say, “thank you for pointing out that. We hear you, give us time to work on them,”
Now what Sakeni is trying to say is that the catholic bishops are wrong but the government can’t argue with them in public.
Ba Sakeni just namumfwa! That’s what it means to have a press conference!! Don’t behave like an ostrich!
At least batweba. We, in PF, must listen and change. It appears we are not navigating our Titanic ship very well of late. We might just hit an ice berg. We must just work hard and deliver on our promises. That is the mandate we have, to improve the welfare of our people. Let’s be focused and do just that. We must create industries in order to grow and expand our economy and create employment. The agric, health, education and local govt system must improve. I always say if a villager uses a pit latrine and I, in Lusaka, am using the same, where is the pride of living in town?
It’s a press statement, you dimwit. And where is the transparency if you can’t publicly engage them. The issues raised concern us and the media is our only way of engagement
Sakeni has no answers coz everything raised by the Bishops is true. Even Mmembe cannot defend these issues, no matter the propaganda.
Bishop Telesphore Mpundu should have declared interest.
Kikiki – in his sisters or the chieftainess?
It is sad that my party is being caught up with lies so soon. Why cant we start telling new lies to cover up the 90 days lies? Im embarrased. Even my spokesman is embarrassed. Hope this is not the begging of our downfall!
Great reaction from the PF. I am sure namumfwa and you will do everything possible to uphold the tenets of democracy. Ba Sata make a name for yourself – Leave a Great Legacy for yourself – in addition to building roads – entrench democracy by holding a referendum for the constitution; repeal the public order act; enact the freedom of Information bill and creat one successful economic zone!
Remember the economy is run by private sector and individual talent so avoid interventionist policies – allow people’s creativity to flourish within an environment of the rule of law not the rule by decree. When you do these things, you will die a happy man – next govt will name some roads after you!!!
Your days are numbered.All Zambians are getting fed up with you.
Don’t say all Zambians, say some of the Zambians. Why include me? I am not getting fed up with PF my friend. Please don’t talk for other people! One’s meat is another’s poison.
Dont talk on our behalf.Some of us are happy with the PF Govt.
Iam also FED up with PF in government.
Iam impressed with yo response this tym around.I think u’ve now settled down and behaving like a party in goverment.keep it up sir by the way revamping of NCZ has earned you more kudos among us the common pipo.
Honestly, Sam – how is “no comment” an impressive response as you say? While I suppose it is better than the usual approach of castigating anyone who criticizes PF and calling them bitter, Sakeni’s reply is hardly inspirational!
Surely, a better response would have been to acknowledge there are many things government is concerned with and to describe some areas PF is working to address. Instead, Sakeni only says that government “will not depart from its commitment of upholding the fundamental tenets of democracy, good governance and the rule of law”. Serious? Many people think PF have done exactly that!
Rather than make smug references to the PF Manifesto from an empty desk, Sakeni and his fellow cadres would do well to use the so-called “open door” to step outside and look…
cant wait to hear nd read what Winter Kabimba will say…! he always puts PF in trouble….!
Hon Sakeni, Open-door policy does not mean that the church has to come down to you and discuss. NO. The church organisations are free to make known their stance on certain issues affect their flock. So you should be glad their church mother bodies that are able to help you out on issues that you can’t articulate very well. Please take this as official notification these as the views of fellow Catholics to you and Mr President. You should be proud to belong to this body of Christ which is not afraid of telling the story as its.
Ha ha ha, he is afraid of opening a Pandora’s box like young George Chellah did when he senselessly challenged NAREP. Hey, Chipimo where’s the next list of PFailures.
DON`T REJOICE FREE MANSONS. SAKENI WELL ANSWERED BUT DON`T ISSUE ANY NEGATIVE STATEMENT AGAINST CATHOLIC CHURCH BECAUSE WE YOUR SUPPORTERS OF PF ARE CATHOLICS. JUST WORK ON THE LETTER YOU HAVE CATHOLIC VOTES AS PF IN 2016. KEEP SHII OTHERWISE FOLLOWERS OF FREE MANSON-eH H WILL REJOICE. DONCHI NOKUBEBA.
Spot on. Freemasons are busy killing people and putting the blame of PF. SATANIST HH
Sorry. Not my vote though I am catholic
Mr. Wyter Kabimba is a danger to democracy and the PF. He has caused so much trouble in the ruling party and the best the party can do is to relieve him of his duties as secretary general. Zambia bigger than this kabimba guy! Abash retrogressive thinking!
Sata…..nists have been found out. Sata…nists are by nature dictatorial, undemocratic, incompetent, partial, nepotistic and visionless!
The Satanist is HH. Freemasons are satanist mind you.
Are opposition not partners? How come you respond to them in the media?Respond as per your tradition.
We don’t need verbal responses mister minister, we need actions!! Show us by your actions and policies that you are committed to a developed Zambia that is when we’ll lend you an ear. Well that is when I will bother to look your way.
Comical Sakeni, even the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini signed a ‘concodat’ with the Vatican, which provided that the Catholic Church was to recognise the Mussolini regime, and in return he was to recognise the Pop as the legitimate head of the Roman Catholic. And we all know how it ended; the fascist regime died- and the institution of Pop still thrives at the helm of the church. Wisen up Comical Sakeni along with your fascist leader before we reconstitute.
Observe how the once outspoken Frank Bwalya has been nullified by a Zesco board appointment, the so called man of the people.
Just listen ba PF. You risk being ditched by your majority supporters, the Catholics. You must remember that catholics are very powerful and have caused regime changes in many countries.
Sakeni, tell us, are they BITTER?
sunken boat
Through out the history of Zambian politics,the Catholic Bishops have been issuing such letters through the media. Its a norm and a common practice even here in the UK.
Hon Sakeni must be level headed when commenting on the clergy. He may need them, political power is not everlasting but Religion is!!! When do politicians behave like they owe us a life when its us who owe them employment?
This is what makes some of us wonder why apathy still continues because voting is seen as giving someone a job and then let them get loose and arrogant forgetting who the pay master is?
A president of poor human personal relations (press conference) a president of poor public decorum (proud mannered)
Each time I see this picture of Sakeni in front of the empty bookshelf I can’t help but think that must be every book he has ever read…. I also can’t help but think he has all the cupboards below packed full of liquor!
Ba Sakeni, basekeni bane.
@Goncalves, you are a funny fan of the UP N Down party. Stop being so bitterly negative. Ninshi kanshi iwe?
Good afternoon Mr Sata…..nist!
Government has in the past ignored these letters. What government must appreciate is that these Bishops are educated and analytical people. Secondly they are close to the people so they they know the feelings of the electorate. What they have said in the pastoral letter are accurate concerns from the people of Zambia. These gentlemen are politicians but politician of a different kind and fighting a different political battle.They don’t envy political positions but they wont let anyone trample on the rights of Zambian. They are advisors and they have advised and warned the PF government to take note quickly. As usual the will ignore this timely advise given freely. If I were in Government I would advise my colleagues to take heed.
The role of the church should be defined in the constitution like in America, we don’t what churches to tell people who to vote or which party they support like it has been happening in the past. The church should never engage in politics, their job is to spread the word of God, nothing else! Give what belong to Caesar to Ceasar, the Bishops should be the first to know this and this meddling in government affairs is a grave mistake, there are many churches in Zambia and if each church started to push their beliefs into government policies we would end with a fragmented society each claiming that they are the true believers and should have more say in the governing of the country. The Bishops should concentrate on what churches do and that is to preach the word of God!!
“He said government will not depart from its commitment of upholding the fundamental tenets of democracy, good governance and the rule of law as espoused in its party manifesto.”
Now if that is Mr Sakeni’s understanding of the fundamental tenets of democracy, good governance and the rule of law, which all sensible people are rubbishing, including the Catholic bishops who brought you to power, then there is something fundamentally wrong with that manifesto or your interpretation of the same. And which sensible person wants to dialogue with an arrogant person anyway?
whats this people are saying about HH being a free mason..really?well more power to him!id rather have sum1 come tell me to my face that they are a free mason..or aethist…than profess to be a believer yet libililibili ku ng’anga..those are the ones to fear..nowonder PK chishala sang about ba churchi elder…id rather sit down and eat with a ng’anga than a fake christian..we shall know them by their fruits si ndiyo?–so tell me wats so christian about PF right now..
It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have learn this post and if I could I wish to counsel you some attention-grabbing issues or advice. Maybe you could write next articles regarding this article. I wish to learn even more issues approximately it!