Government has lashed out at opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema for belittling the Kariba boat accident by politicizing the tragedy.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Joseph Katema said government takes great exception to Mr Hichilema’s statement in which he questioned the morality of the governance system that subjects citizens to modes of transport such as the one in which 25 people perished on Lake Kariba last Friday.
In a statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Dr Katema described Mr Hichilema‘s statement as political and insensitive to the tragedy and the deep grief and sorrow that has engulfed the nation following the death of the school children and others in the Kariba boat accident.
The Minister said that it was only appropriate that the country puts aside politics and finger-pointing and devote time to mourn the lives of the departed citizens.
Dr Katema who is also Chief government spokesperson has since advised the opposition leader and the public to desist from politicizing tragic events.
He assured the nation that government will ensure it gets to the bottom of the matter and establish the circumstances that led to the tragedy as investigations into the matter were still going-on.
Mr Hichilema in a statement released to the media is quoted as having questioned the morality of the country’s governance system for subjecting citizens to unstable modes of transport so many years after independence.
He urged the nation to begin to aspire for better services that will safeguard the safety and lives of people crossing water bodies.
On October 24, as Zambia was celebrating g its Golden Jubilee, 25 people among them 22 school going children perished when their 14 seater banana boat capsized as they attempted to cross Lake Kariba in Gwembe district in Southern Province.
Government has since declared tomorrow, Wednesday, October 29, 2014 a day of national mourning in honour of the 25 Kariba accident victims who will be buried in a mass grave in Gwembe on the same day.
Below is the full statement issued by UPND Leader Mr Hichilema
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
28th October 2014
The Kariba Jubilee Tragedy
It is with great pain and sorrow that UPND join the rest of the country in mourning the death of the 26 Zambians, majority of whom children, that drowned on Lake Kariba on their way for Jubilee celebrations in Gwembe District of Southern Province.
As we mourn this tragic loss, we call upon authorities to establish how such a tragedy accident could have happened so that there would be no recurrence in future.
To lose such a big number of people, who are in their prime and with so much to give to the country, is a big tragedy. These young people had families, friends and certainly hopes and dreams of a better life. They were alive one second and died the next. They did not expect to go so soon and in the manner they did. They were like you and me, full of hope and better prospects for the future. They were Zambians, they were our brothers and sisters, our children, they were the future of this country.
As we mourn these young men and women, let us remember to pray for their souls, as well as pray for their families and friends that they left behind. May God give their loved ones strength and peace that surpasses human understanding so that they may deal with their loss and sorrow. Remember that people that depart from this earth never truly leave, for they are still alive in our hearts and minds, through us, they live on. It is also true that when we lose a loved one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven that watches over us. So may you take comfort in knowing that you have an angel to watch over you now, to watch over all of us.
However, let us also begin to question the morality of our governance systems that subject our citizens to such modes of transport so many years after independence. Let us begin to aspire for better services that will guarantee the safety and lives of our people. Let us not let our brothers and sisters die in vain, but let us use this painful experience to improve the water transport sector that put the lives of many more Zambians in similar dangers everyday.
We call upon government authorities to fully engage communities around the country that use water transport and sensitize them on safe methods of crossing water bodies, such as the need for life saving jackets and skills as well as on the need to rule on the numbers a boat can carry safely.
On behalf of the UPND, we join the rest of the country in mourning these gallant heroes who were on their way to commemorate a historic day in the history of our country.
We call on the entire country and the great spirit of the almighty God to be with the bereaved families in this time of pain and sorrow.
We are with those families in prayers and the UPND will do our best to comfort them in this period of anguish and sorrow.
Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President
Ba Katema you are the showing insensitivity on the matter
What happened in Kariba was not an accident but an incident that was caused by systemic failures on part of the reckless the PF. Guy Scott ‘s department is supposed to paid not only to act when disasters of such magnitude happen, but to prevent them from happening in the first place.
PF only thinks of the the safety of its president Sata. If not why can’t it let Sata be treated at UTH the hospital they neglect? If PF was genuine in their actions it would have placed importance to all the live of the people just like it does for one dying Sata and put in place measures to ensure safety every where .
HH is absolutely right to call for investigation to find out exactly where these systemic failures emanated from and p
I like it or simply enjoy it when I see HH hammering the useless PF minions and bring them to their defence on matters of national importance.
Now that PF has been exposed by HH,its when they are attaching importance to the matter. When it happened , the whole PF cohort was busy winning and dinning instead of sending a team to help out the bereaved families and yet it has all the resources at its disposal. Surely it took an individual(HH) to rush there and console , donate money and food out of his pocket.
Why is it that too many disasters are happening under the PF government? Could it be that the whole PF establishment is a disaster run by individuals who are disasters them selves. One disaster is seeking medical attention abroad while neglecting local hospitals on tax payers…
Now it kind of make sense why Kambwili wanted to name the Heroes stadium disaster stadium because most PF minions think in a disastrous way.
Every thing under PF is utter disaster. Its leader is a disaster awaiting to happen, the economy is a disaster, the Kwacha a disaster, Education a disaster, Health and safety a disaster, Cost of living a disaster, Law enforcement agencies a disaster, fight against corruption a disaster, agriculture policies a disaster, payment of farmers a disaster, financial management a disaster, ……………………………………..etc
Folks the only way to stop this disastrous PF gov from turning the whole country into disaster prone place it to vote wisely in 2016 or before that, and replace it with UPND the party for the future.
Viva HH and…
lash out
verb UK — phrasal verb with lash /læ?/ US
to suddenly attack someone or something physically or criticize him, her, or it in an angry way:
I was only teasing him and suddenly he lashed out (at me) and hit me in the face.
Why’s Tina in such a bad mood? She really lashed out at me when I was late for work.
Imwe wamene walibe nzelu, you are the perfect example of why Zambia fails to develop. You say it’s for others (PF government, Sata, God… just anyone except YOURSELF) to make things right – meanwhile you YOURSELF just sit around whining like a whipped dog and you think that’s somehow respectable. Man up or shut up
Thank you Sir for reminding the Minister to start taking responsibilities. Governments around the world take responsibility of their citizens by making sure there measures to protect their safety whether on the road, water or air. When will this PF nonsense come to senses that they were elected NOT to criticize the opposition which provides checks and balances, but to deliver to the Zambia people. This should never happen again and modes of transport in Zambia are sure regulated and waterways should too!
@Wanzelu, its not just people vote for us, then we grow our heads. It is not a prevelage to write TOO MUUUCH. @Wanzelu, Katema and HH, just sit under funeral tent and discuss life, not ACCIDENTS & INCIDENTS.
This funeral is for the “Some-of-us” and everybody else. Don’t mourn too much and too loud, be strong and just PRAY for the young souls.
This is the reason why akainde ichilema will never be president. his level of selfishness is unimaginable. All he sees even in tragedies are ways to make political millage that can propel his to state house.
this is not the time to score political points, but to morn and comfort the families that have lost their loved ones.
Once the mourning period is over and govt has done its investigations, then you can get ready for a bloody nose.
The immaturity displayed by akainde baffles me and if UPND is serious about wining it better start looking for another leader and not the poop they currently have.
When will he stop being a pedestrian politician?
Hon. Dr Katema is overeacting. HH referred to “a governance system” and not PF government. PF found a governance system left by previous parties, UNIP and MMD. HH is calling for a re-look at the way we have been doing things.
How could Dr Katema and his highly educated and exposed senior officers not see what HH meant and took it personally. Why was PF voted into office? Was it not because they promised to overhaul Zambia’s governance system, starting with giving Zambia a new constitution within 90 days? Why has the PF added one more province and created more districts? Was it not to create an institutional framework that would improve our governance system? Am really disappointed that officers failed to advise the Minister correctly, or did they, and the Minister ignored the…
@Nostradamus
What gibberish is this criminal ranting. He is a confused young man with little education. It is no wonder he be haves like a lunatic. For those who don’t know him. This is Chanda Chashi (Reuben Mwansa). The criminal who claims he went to school in Illinois. Investigators are spreading their nets and with his addiction for blogging, the will soon catch up with him. Careful how you associate with him.
I believe Sata is Dead and again people (Bembas) will blame HH. Pathetic!!
There is an unconfirmed report that Sata is dead. If he is truly dead , what killed the man who was as fit as a fiddle according to PF’s PR machine?
If its true MHSRIP.
When some of us said he had been given up to end of September to live we were criticised as prophets of doom and yet reality stood right in front of every body.
I am trying to get info about this news. BBC is quiet why? Maybe its not true his death was announced prematurely.
PF’s lies will catch up with them eventually.
and you expect people to vote for this lunatic hakainde?he is indeed a mechant of death!!nabaku supporter ebashakwata amano.
It seems that these horrendous things happen each time Sata is hospitalised , why?
And soon you will him walking again. Is it by coincidence or what? I am not superstitious by this boggles mind !
@jo saka; ulichipuba!
@Jo saka….
Stop insulting the masses. If you are illiterate and could therefore not read the content of HH’s speech, you could have asked someone to read it for you before embarking on insulting people.
You should feel sorry that the Minister could rush to attack HH when he meant well.
Are you telling Zambians that the PF government has fully implemented its manifesto and is happy with the state of affairs? Well, if they think that Zambia’s governance system is perfect, they should vacate office immediately and let others who see beyond take over. Just stop insulting people because they are smarter than you.
you are the lunatic. i mean, you cant see the sense that HH talked about? this is the tragedy of PF. its leaders, cadres and supporters are blinded by pettiness, ignorance, tribalism and thieving.
HH is responsible for the deaths of those innocent lives. He sacrificed their blood to boost his political career. Am therefore not surprised with his silly comments.
Another PF cadre living in kuku land who still thinks Sata is healthy and fit as a siddle or fiddle, which ever.
iwe C*** cant you see and hear that SATAN is now fine and jogging on 26 downing street in London after the death of 26 people? we all know what usually happens when he gets so sick and evacuated out of the country
HH will blame PF for 09/11, El kaida, ISS, Bok Haram, Ebola and the poor followers will support him. Pathetic.
No he wont, dont be silly now! If you cant handle Sata’s health, do you think you can contain Ebola?
Imagine if it was Sata who was the opposition and this had happened? All hell would have broken loose. Criticising Government when a tragic avoidable thing lie this where we lose lives is the job of any opposition party worth his salt. G.W. Bush is considered one of the worst US Presidents because of his half hearted response to the Katarina catastrophe. Even Goodluck Jonathan, President of Nigeria is on the ropes because of his failure to secure the release of our daughters from those murderous thugs masquerading as religious purists – Boko Haram. HH keep this inept Government on it toes!!
@Thrash metal
Brilliant observation there.
Where is the so called Sampa, who of late was busy donating loaned money to beef up his CV? These are the things I would expect him to rise upto the challenge and show his compassion. But no he only does things that will benefit him directly.
The whole PF is rotten to the core.
I will personally beat Katema when I meet him. I lost my niece and this ***** is diverting attention from inept government to HH? It is time to beat the and kill the PF!
I don’t see anything wrong with HH’s statement above. In any case what HH has brought out should be food for though for all well meaning citizens. He questions the governance system, this governance system has been presided over by UNIP, MMD and PF (in 3 years). HH’s statement is no way blaming the current government, it probably questions how people were displaced (during the construction of Kariba DAM) without putting up contingent measures which include safer mode of transport
But the one Politicising this issue is you guys because HH whole Heartedly Cried out for thise people! Some Bloggers and you people who don’t like this man are putting words in his mouth and feeding the masses negatives about this fellow Zambian. he as a Human being would feel remorse and because he is a public figure decided to put his thoughts online over which you start attacking him!
For once lay aside all your differencies and aggree in times of grief… why are you making a monster out of him so to push him hard so the masses can dislike him? You are the ones who should be demonised because you wimll divide people due to your polical ambions, stop it and unit every Zambian, HH is a Zambian and the son of someone just like you are, what gives you more Blue Blood than him? Stop it!!
@Cindy
I support you 110%.
Every time PF is caught with its pants down, it sends its bloggers to spew a lot of spam against well meaning Zambians like HH who lost some of relatives in that incident NOT accident because it have been prevented.
@Cindy
epowaba!, great to see you dutch girl, great comment there i see,,,,, by the way Oyaya is back… ama spelling watch out,kkkikikikikikikikik!
@Wanzenlu,
Idont understand how some bloggers and politicians play such cheap mind political mind games! Somehow , people believe every dirty word they say without giving it an interlligent thought… really shocking! I guess that explains why some countries are lacking behind, tooo bad!
@ Ndobo,
Very much alive only on the side lines most the time as I get bewildered at some debates!
Ahuh……….. so my great online Lecturere Oyaya is back? Good to hear, otherwise, I was furious when I read the artical cound’nt even think of editting my comment, pretty sure Oyaya will understand!
@Cindy…. not only Ndobo missed you. Sooooo many people missed you.
Kanshi ifyo naleumfwila filya….
XoXoXo
And wise comments again, refreshing.
I really do not see anything sinister in HH’s statement to attract an unfavorable response from Kasonde. There have been numerous accidents not only in this country but several others where people who care have come up to advise the powers that be to put corrective measures in order to avoid recurrences. One of the most notorious lakes where people have lost lives is Lake Bangweulu. HH’s advice here comes in handy. We need to improve safety on our river waterways and the relevant government department must start working on solutions right away, not these rebuttals we are getting from the minister. What politiking ba minister? Roll up your sleeves and get to work right now!
Government ignore this f..lish ape. The Hutu Holocaust (HH) has nothing to offer Zambians or indeed anyone else. To politick cheaply over such a tragedy is demonic, simply put. The underworld free mason absconded the Jubilee by performing a satanic ritual in his own backyard, Gwembe. We can’t bring such a blood-red vicious hyeana to State House. It will be an insult to civilization. Just look at his dirty kinky afro this anti-christ with a mouth like he’s sucking milk from an uncircumcised oxtail! Zwa (HH) satanist
Kudos you are a fool, if the country can afford top class medical service for an old man who is in the evening of his life you mean they cant provide simple life jackets to our young people facing the peril of death in ancient water transport?
Only satanist use a skull as their symbol.
Kudos you must be one hell of a satanist and are not happy that HH is not one of you PF satanists.
Skulls are also printed on bottles containing logo or poison.
and all Hazardous materials. PF ni Poison Fye.
@Kudos…..
To judge who is the demon incarnate between @Kudos and Hakainde Hichilema, you just read what they both write and say.
Just compare the Statement by HH and @Kudos’s statement at 10 and you will no doubt know which of the 2 is demonic.
@Kudos, you are exposing yourself. Go and join Boko Haram or ISiS to whet your appetite for violence. Leave us alone to enjoy our 50 years of relative peace. The Police in Zambia is just very discouraging. @Kudos’ language is far from politicking. He is inciting violence. How I wish we had a patriotic police!!!! HH deserves to be protected. He is a big tax payer, a husband, a father, a friend to many and above all a leader of a legal political party. He deserves respect. Thugs like @Kudos, Gen. et al should not be allowed to…
@Wanzelu, leave your friend @Kudos alone, its his TROPHY
@Saulosi
You really sound vitriolic, full of bile and caustic when you write on HH. Don’t you think it’s possible that you have so internalized your hatred for the man as to call him, a fellow human an ape that you could harm him if you met in person?; And don’t you think it may not be good for your own health to be filled with so much hatred for a fellow human? I have seen people kill others starting from what may appear as ‘just hatred’.
Just a thought!
Mr.Minister,why politicising an innocent statement.Let’s be serious and show love to one another regardless of one’s tribe.Whenever HH issues a statement,even without reading it you are pissed up.Why?
fellow bloggers; I read nothing wrong in HH s statement but sympathy for the bereaved and a fact about the poor governance of our country. Note he has not blamed only the present government, but the past as well; I do not think that a statement so well written should be met with such malice, this is not a time for hate, but, a time to unite in the tradegy that happened and sympathasise with the families that have lost their children.
Skulls are also printed on bottles containing logo or poison.
hahahaha….. logo, i have’nt heard that word in a long time.
Honestly iwe ka hakainde..people have died and u say pf.u also foolish hakainde followers dont u kno pf cant buy boats.not that they cant afford them but because it will put those same people out of business.the one who was careless was the captain of the boat not pf..and this ka same hakainde boy sold mines to benefit his pocket just imagine what he can do if he ever tookover.lucky for me i have my voters card..pf ofcourse
Can the Minister be serious for the first time in the manner we respond to some criticism.Why allow such a small boat to be used on such a day when people were excited with the cerebration.
Can the organizers of this function be investigated.In Mansa a tank had to fall on a child and died.
The government officials are to blame for negligence.
Don’t just be good at advising the opposition ,you should also listen to the opposition since you already in Government sir,HH,chipimo,miyanda ,nawakwi ,N Mumba ,the churches and a lot more Zambians,on the constitution ,subsidies an necessary by elections etc you ve never listened mr katema sir ,may God bless Zambia
Now pf should start making boats…then ur ka hh sarts saying pf is taking over other peoples businesses.cindy and u that guy over there i can tell u a tribalist…supporting ur local team…lucky for me i have my voters card…
HH is the president of southern province, one wonders how he tend to blame others on this
Zambia under PF regime is being held at ransom!The only way out is to strategize on how to vote it out!Much has been said about this regime but no change is seen only counter reactions!
You desperately want to like HH. however he is his own worst enemy. Problem is that he sees everything as a PF problem, but really it is not. This mode of transport would surely have been purchased before PF came into powe? Problems with transport and infrastructure is not just the problem of the current gov’t but is a shared responsibility of all gov’ts before PF. PF have clearly responded to the challenge by targeting improvements in these sectors. We just got a refurbished jubilee train, and our roads and modes of transport are being improved.
It was unwise for HH to keep aloof of Jubilee; his ploy using the poor whilst failing a patriot duty was very sad. HH has potential, but is a little immature. A good contender always remembers to be gracious to his enemies.
@Patriot Abroad
Is this the reason you are abroad because of reverse thinking. Read what HH said and compare with the statement from the ‘baby bush’ minister of yours.
‘belittling’? , what are they trying to say, chizungu chapa zed nacho. hahaha
What has HH done for this country and his up and down party, empty tins makes a lot of noise. This is the strong hold of UPND and what have they down as government in waiting or baby cries with no solution.
There is nothing in that small head. He may be diseased to a point of joining the colleague, as Lucky Dube sung….I don’t know where!
I can’t see anything wrong in that statement of being advised to safe guard lives of citizens
I see a lot of realism in the statement from HH, so manured & logical. HH should be given chance to govern Zambia, I guess Zambia will never be the same.
Ati he is “manured”!!! Sometimes there is truth in these things since he comes from a kraal full of manure just like you dunderhead
Its like hating HH is a days job for some people
@Pio
HH has done more for this country by creating jobs and supporting thousands with his own money while the PF govt had done nothing with our money.
What did Sata do or contribute to the country as a private citizen other than insult. Did you ever hear him donate money, support orphans, pay for education and so on?
Serikali hii ya umbwa za PF imeshindwa kazi sababu its priority is politicking 24/7 lakini kazi muhimu kulinda waZambia is just not sexy.
This avoidable accident is on you wajinga na wezi wa PF .Kufa hivyo pia
Wewe ni wazimu kabisa. Mimi kuja kukuona
What is political about asking government to be responsible? Its not just about mourning. Its about reflecting and assessing what went wrong. Improving on safety where shortcomings are found. Flying would not be as safe as it is now (relative to a few decades ago) if accidents were not investigated and blame apportioned where necessary. We know the levels of health and safety in many areas of Zambia’s human endeavours leave much to be desired. Its folly to simplistically just say ‘it was an accident, let us mourn and move on’. How callous and irresponsible!
If you lost your child at home because she slept with a Mbaula inside her room. And the reason she needed to have a Mbaula is because the house has no windows and the roof is only half complete. It is cold at night and she has little blankets to cover her. You have no electricity in your house. So wouldn’t you naturally reflect on why you lost your child? What measures you could have taken to avoid this?
Even though it’s a dumb example since the mbaula would be harmless since there was no roof or windows, it would still be a sad thing to happen. But in context here, I would point out that blaming government would be inappropriate, especially for an opposition politician like HH hoping to garner some votes when he has no idea how to do it
I have found nothing wrong with HH’s statement to attract such a sharp reaction from Dr. Katema. His advise is in order and timely which the Government should take seriously in the interest of the people. In the 1970s we had the peugeot 404 station wagon running between Ndola and Kitwe. The then UNIP Government banned them because of the many accidents and loss of lives. The Ndola-Kitwe dual carriage was later built to curb road accidents and loss of lives. The small mini buses are not allowed on long routes for the same reasons. These are mitigating measures taken to reduce accidents and loss of lives. If these measures have been taken on roads why can’t we do the same with water transport. HH is right in suggesting improved water transport. DR. Katema you are wrong with your reaction.
It is evident that HH is clearly out of touch with reality. At this rate he will become irrelevant to Zambian politics soon
Iwe Akamunofu, please amplify, don’t just issue a meaningless statement. What reality is HH out of touch with? Mention the section[s] of his statement which will make him irrelevant to Zambian politics.
Fellow Zambians
We are making ourselves out to be very shallow minded. My view is that the Minister rushed to criticise a fellow Zambian for issuing a patriotic statement. HH talked about a “governance” system and not necessarily the PF government.
The fact that the PF is in power does not mean Zambia has a perfect governance system. The PF came with a manifesto to improve on our governance just as UNIP and MMD promised. Even when another party takes over it will inherit a system requiring further improvement. If Dr Katema was a social scientist, he would have agreed with HH. Perhaps he could have complemented his government by justifying the measures proposed in the PF manifesto to change things for the better. Let us think before we leap or we will jump into a dry swimming pool.
I can’t wait to see these brainless PF monkeys out of government. They are all from the same province and they very dull, except when it comes to STEALING. 2016 is too far. I’m tired of these animals. I don’t care who takes over as long as these PF insects are taken out.
In the recent ferry disasters in Italy and South Korea, ministers had to resign for negligence. This is what our great HH meant if the minister knew how to read English. In most cases, an accident by one model of an aircraft calls for grounding of all models and thorough investigation is normally called after something has been rectified. Why not for example ban all banana boats as mode of transport in Zambia as HH suggests
Zambian watchdog reporting President Sata’s death 21:00 hours today Tuesday Oct 28.
Ths Govt has failed us ….!!!
And Now PF will blame HH for putting Sata on the fateful Kariba boat!! RIP Sata.
Ok Sata has died, so what next?
I think you are next …
Pray pray pray
The late Michael Chilufya Sata….(as per ZWD)….do we blame that on ba opposition too?
Yes we are all to blame. We are sinners. If we got together and gathered our prayers together, Ba Sata would not have died.
Good awareness though but be realistic HH is politikin here do you expect a leader to change everything wrong in a country in just a few years if you believe so then am sorry to say you are dumb cause thats not how the world works only a fool or backward person thinks like that and sadly my country is full of them, so ba HH please twanaka and i for one personally believe he doesnt deserve to lead zambia anyday plus if the rumours are true may our presidents soul rest in peace a lot has been achieved in this short period.
God bless our Motherland Zambia
I think we are dealing with madness here. A lot of bloggers have clarified or explained further what HH meant, but clearly some others are still insisting that the man is politiking. Sad.
Why were there 25 people in a 14-seater banana boat? If it had capsized with 8 people I could have been thinking a little differently – but hell – 25 in a 14-seater boat?? Are you guys considering this? I am sure if there was a 100-seater boat there would have 150 people squashed there. I always say while politicians are ravaging each other, nobody waits to consider the mindset that shapes those people that stuff innocent children into such a small space. THAT IS NOT A BUS, FELLAS, IT IS A WATER VESSEL…Eish!