THE Government has said it is illegal for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Zambia to advocate the removal of a democractically-elected Government using potentially dangerous means such as the ‘red card’ campaigns.
Home Affairs Minister, Lameck Mangani said in Lusaka yesterday that NGOs should be sober in their criticism, and should concentrate on civic campaigns instead of agitating violence.
He said the NGOs would not be allowed to hold demonstrations against the Government because that would be a recipe for anarchy.
However, the NGOs spokesperson, Obby Chibuluma said they would go ahead with the rallies and demonstrations but ensure that everything was done in conformity with the laws.
Mr Mangani said the civil society could instead campaign for issues such as good governance and the promotion of fair play in elections which could in turn allow Zambians to make informed decisions through an electoral system allowed by the country’s Constitution.
He said this in an interview after meeting some NGOs representatives at his office.
Among those who attended the meeting were Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes executive director, Lee Habasonda, Transparency International Zambia president, Reuben Lifuka and his executive director Goodwell Lungu, and Anti-Voter Apathy director, Bonnie Tembo.
The civil society had requested for a meeting with the minister, to which he consented.
Mr Mangani said he told the NGOs representatives during the meeting that there was no individual or organisation that had the right to force any citizen to remove a government elected by the people, and appealed to them to be objective in the manner they approached national issues.
He said the Government had a responsibility to ensure the peace Zambia had enjoyed over the years was sustained, and it was for that reason that it had often called for dialogue among the citizens.
Mr Mangani said unless the NGOs justified the need for demonstrations, the Government would not allow them to do so at the expense of national security.
The minister said while the Government acknowledged citizens’ rights to air their views, it was not ready to allow anybody to cause unnecessary confusion in the country.
“As far as the Government is concerned, we cannot allow the NGOs to take to the streets to demonstrate because we are not convinced with the reasons they have given us,“ he said.
Mr Mangani, however, described the meeting, which started at 11:00 hours and ended after 13:00 hours, as fruitful and assured the NGOs that the Government would remain open to dialogue for the benefit of the Zambian people.
And Mr Chibuluma said the CSOs would go ahead with the rallies and demonstrations, adding that to ensure no law was breached, the civil society went ahead to notify the police.
He, however, paid tribute to the Government for allowing them hold a meeting with them through the minister of Home Affairs, and described it as a step in the right direction.
“As civil society, we are happy that the minister met us but we did not go to his office to ask for any permit to hold rallies or demonstrations. We wanted to express ourselves after realising that our freedom of expression was being tampered with,” he said.
Mr Chibuluma acknowledged that dialogue was important in any society and the civil society would continue engaging the Government on various issues for continued mutual understanding.
[Times of Zambia]
Mangani you are fighting a loosing battle. What exactly do you have to show for it for the Red Card campaign to be stopped? In the western world and indeed other developing countries, citizens demonstrate in all sorts of manner they they are not pleased with the government. Normally, all sorts of things such as putting on red t shirts, placards, burners etc are used just to show their displeasure on the evils perpetuated by their respective government. What can’t us Zambians do that when MMD is clearly not performing and RB is busy flying all over like a butterfly as Nawakwi has put it? Who do you think you are to stop the Red Card Campaign? Please Mangani get a life!
The problem is we tend to talk too much in this country. Now if you find a company that is regestered to manufacture mealie meal but is also manufacturing cocain what do you do to it? So if an NGO is registered to sensitize voters or Transparency but instead gets involved in red card campaigns meant to distabilise the nation what should you do?
Mangani has never seen the inside of a lecture theatre,so whant can you expect from Bwezani’s Pitbull?:-@:-@:-@
One thing that is not clear, has it been allowed to carry on the Red campaign or it is illegal!
I find this entitlement by government to the free will of Zambians choking. Come off it, people can demand change when they see fit! Not even Drogba can dispute a red card!! We’re coming!
Mr Mangani said the civil society could instead campaign for issues such as good governance and the promotion of fair play in elections which could in turn allow Zambians to make informed decisions through an electoral system allowed by the country’s Constitution.
Allowing the Inspector General of police to continue working and getting paid while being investigated for corruption is not good governance,refusing to appeal chilubas case by RB against the wishes of the people is not good governance,letting RP capital do whatever they did at zamtel with Dora Siliya is not good governance either,letting people die because of floods is not either,going to china for 10 days when people are living in floods,then pretending to go visit them,meanwhile your vice president did the same thing
[-( Mangani is digging his own grave because he will have huge amounts of cases to answer with the arrests he is threatening the masses with. There is now where in the Zambian gazette where it says its a criminal offence to issue red cards against a government or a leader. People must given enough room to express their views. The issuance of the red card must save as a clear indication to those in govt that there is something wrong with the kind of their leadership which they must improve on and address the problems affecting before things turn to the worst. I hope the govt will soon understand that issuing threats will not help them anyhow. 😕
Mr. Mangani has got it wrong. The Red Card is not remove you from office before 2011, but to make people aware that you are not worthy to be given another chance in office. Why havent you said anything on the inteded WHITE RIBBON CAMPAIGN?
contd
his vp did a tour and directed the minister of finance to release funds for floods,and im sure after that tour he briefed his boss,but again from china the Master went to tour the same victims that the vp toured,thats lack of governance,what a bunch of chihuahua’s a PITBULL can atleast bite,these dogs can only lick
Seriously, this Mangani doesnt even know what good governance is,Form5,certificate in primary school teaching,WOOOOF WOOOOOOOF
Is this guy related to one tooth Munkombwe…Mangani like your name, wish you good luck if u will succesfully net a few red carders…Bwezani ati bweza kumbuyo, Mangani afuna kutiimanga on the red card on his bwezani
In support of the Red Card campaign can all the bloggers change our user names on this website to REDCARD** . the asterisks just mean you put what ever number you wish in front of Redcard. Let us use the power of the internet. We can do this for a week and notify the post about our protest.
# 11 let the crusade begin.
Mangani your nose is very big like a gizzard of a big chicken (Mukombwe).
Does anyone know how to create a Red card Gravatar?
#12 thank you. Zambia shall be free.
Please promote the Red Card campaign on every blog that you can. let us see if we can make this one of the biggest campaign ever on the internet.
yaba Mangani’s lack of understanding of the law is frightening. What is a demonstration if not part of a civic campaign?
There is no need to demonstrate and flashing red cards. The listening government is doing everything possible to make Zambians happy. I am sure most of us are very happy with leadership of our great President RB!
#18 you’re on a losing streak here I’m sure. it’s not a question of whether “there is need” it’s a question of the people exercising their democratic rights
#18 the end is near for RB. Not even KK was this unpopular in his last days.
#18 Dont confuse your shushu confort with the general welfare of Zambians. You are happy becuase all your relatives are full. Surely you CANT call RB a great leader. He is one of the worst/incompetent presidents in the world.
wow! # 18 is one of the guys kaingu referred to as rupia’s DOGS.
If this man was not of the human species, he would surely be of the Ngulube type. Kuipa pamenso chi swine, same ne mukanwa.
Mr Mangani must know that once a revolution begins there is no amount of intimidation that will stop it. Remember, dictatorial brutality was put in place by Kaunda to stop the revolution but he failed and the people got what they wanted. So Mr Mangani stop f.o.o.l.i.n.g yourself.
Which part of the constitution says that showing someone a red card is illegal? Or maybe its in our penal code but knowing it as well as I do, I have never come accross any part that criminalises aka Red. Bedsides, we are the electorate, it is we who are entitled to flash utwa RED at politicians. Therefore, Minister Lameck Mangani maybe is seeing things in reverse like his other ministers who used the same three letters G, O and D to describe our lord’s father, GOD and also to describe my pet, a DOG called Poppy. To Mangani, the act of red carding which is wholly provided for in our constitution can be seen in reverse, as on the pitch thus made ILLEGAL.
:d/ Mangani you are doing very well. The security of the nation is very important than selfish individuals who wants to bring a civil war. MMD was elected by the people and it can only be removed by the people through an election. VIVA Mangani, VIVA MMD.:)>-
Eish!!! people are angry,,,Sebuloni Kamutanda wanisekesa mudala
the small regular mmd dogs on this blog are nowhere to be seen,scared of the RED campaign
Ilyashi ku FAZ House lekeni libipilile nomba! Abena “Not so Great Kalu” now seem to be like “Porridge Bwalya.” The accounts have not been checked since he came into office leaving millions missing, he has a serious assault of journalist Augustine Mukoka hanging large over his “akalukobo” head like an alien spaceship hovering over New York city in Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum’s blockbuster movie “Independence Day.”, Awe sure, ni lwakwa Noah, lekeni nomba lunye! Maybe it was FAZ government money he used to marry that urgy Italian Mafiozzo, we want our grudas back ka sakala iwe!
#22 Mwaka you are very right no wander he calls himself by that name. Shame on him. He is busy lifting RB high on the expense of the many suffering Zambians.
I hereby invite all those opposed to the Red Card so as diffuse this ill-conceived fruitless compaign.MMD under RB is a listening govt and is doing everything to better the lives of Zambians
Let us talk about developmental issues rather than dwelling on red cards. What do we do as Zambians to forge ahead with development? Our hard working president is busy re-organising the nation. I am very happy because our listening President is action oriented. Kwacha has drastically stabilised because of RBs Good leadership.
# 28 Umulomo, are you a man or woman .Give us pics to compare with Kalu. Just write on what he has done wrong not ifyabupuba. And the story at hand is about RedCards.
no 26 so calld litunga go to hell i see u belong there.cz on ones lack of knwlodge en leadership qualities even the poor me is suffering.fuseki.
I like this idea of puting Red card infront of your id that’s a good one please let all those for the Red card put it in front of their Id’s.
the one who said he is AlaaBees BuluDog is regreting his comments guys think before you flap those lips that look like chikanda
Can someone make me understand the meaning of red card. Does it mean Fr Bwalya or PF minions. Do we surely need such a campaign in Zambia, If we need change tell the Zambians what kind of change do we need and from what to what. To me Fred Mmembe and Fr bwalya are PF cadres who can not be trusted to spearhead well meaning campaign for Zambians, These chaps self comes before service. Fr Bwalya hopes to be a big guy in politics and when you listen to his emmotional talks, he lucks knowledge and maturity. His campaign to remove the government is evil and he can only be likened to a rich fool, He wants to use the catholic church to advance his personal interest. God Forbid.
And the white ribborn campaign? These guys think they are running their homes where one just wakes up and gives the children and wife rules and they follow because he is the head of the family. Wake up ala.
I have problems with this Red Card campaign cos its a recipe for civil strife worse still people championing it.I cant be on the same bandwagon as Fr Bwalya,an ardent PF suppoter and promoter of anarchy.Iam happy young Chipimo and NAREP have refused to be part of this circus.
the best the guys in mmd can do is to make sure they build houses now,because most of them will be unemployed.and in apoor country like zambia,the best zambians can do is to rotate jobs to other citizens .after all they are not permanent jobs. a political job is bad in that it is like riding a leopard,u make sure u dont get off.mangani ,you must realise that zambia changed the unip govt that even entrenced itself in the a.s.s . so what about mmd whose level of entrenchement is only cosmetic.people have spoken -the red card is real.change is the only thing .
# 31 People are being sent to jail for no reason other dead coz of simple floods, while you Dog Master is busy inspecting chines investment in Malawi, travelling headless, then you want us to constrate on developmental issues which ones AIRTICKETS TO CHINE, MALAWI NAMIBIA or what are you talking about. Its true when they say Dogs dont think they just use instincts.
RED CARD CAMPAIGN IS THE ONLY WAY THAT WILL LEAD TO DEVELOPING MOTHER ZAMBIA
#18 & #31, We know you’re a Shushushu just like your elder brother in South Africa he knows himself. RB is the most incompetent degree holding President that Zambia has ever come up with. Abash Shushushu manners and tuchawa. Viva Red Card campaign. We are going to support any campaign that restores diginity of ordinary Zambians who are living on less than a $1 per day. Viva Red..
As a matter of fact where is MMD Chief Boot Licker? he is RB’s dog just like Kaingu, Mulongoti, Shikapwasha, Dora & mangani. He is another person in denial who doesn’t believe MMD are going to lose next year unless they block aspiring candidates using clandestine means.
Yes we can!!! Change we shall. With Rupiah as President, I can settle for anyone in the coming elections.
When I see the way people are suffereing, how roads have become very bad and no one cares, I see people dying of hunger in chibolia,Bauleni, laungwa,chipulukus, kapisha shant compounds their daily lives is getting worse by the day meanwhile our head of state is busy looking for investors who come to sweep in our streets. Scandal after Scandal in the gorvernment offices. Its so easy for me to FLASH MY RED CARD. Those saying that the president is working, where , what and how has he developed Zambia maybe in China or Zimbabwe his place of birth. coz I walk on the Zambia streets all I see is everything getting really bad. his Dogs as they say are busy giving us statistics which does not help an Ordinary Zedian. aaaa let me go back to work kuti watukana pa last alyo bakulonga for no reason
By the way,Thank you very much to the Minister who told us about Dogs obeying their master, meaning they are dogs not us voters but you the ones he appoints.
FROM NOW ONWARDS WE SHAL REFER TO YOU AS BULUDOGS OR IS IT GERMANY SHEPHERDS, OR MIXED BREAD heheheheehe
Like the name you will all be arrested.
Imwe ba cadre ba MMD,u mean you have not seen that protest of where blood is spilt!…MMD zwa!:)>-
if this govt had the decency ,they could have at least done the roads .great north road is a nightmare.roads in chalala are terribe,let alone those in the coumpounds.what one tangible thing can you talk about that this govt has done or is doing.the hospitals are a mess.the universities are filth.central lusaka is an eyesore.m****** mwe!the parliament is filled with stupid people like chi peter machungwa just talking chiluba all the times.leaders have failed mother zambia badly.for travellers u can faint when u come by road from botsawna to zambia .the boarder post is dirty and abandoned.we have cried enough.all u do is sell our little for a bribe that cant fit a chinese wallet.shame.viva red card.we shall celebrate at this injustice ,bringing justice to your homes.the sun is setting on u
#41. I do not envy sarcastic language because it is of no use to me. I am sure only short-sighted and shallow minded people like you, would rather use abussive language rather than analyse things in a scientific perspective. You do not sound to be economic and statistical because instead of telling us what is good for Zambians, you keep on dwelling on senseless stuff. I believe you must be more farmiliar with geography than economics. Abash RED CARD!
Just watch us!!!!!!!!
Mangani If you beat the you can simply join them@-) red car MMD
#50 reads. Mangani If you can’t beat them you can simply join them. red car MMD
#48 Wapya munzi Just watch why are U scared of Red Card campaign common we leave in a democracy which should guarantee us participation in peace demonstrations. We are not advocating any violence. U seem to be the only one here that’s seeing scientific perspective even in things that don’t require science. Unlike u I know my geography & science extremely well. I don’t need a science degree to tell me that RB has failed. He hasn’t failed U because you’re where U are becoz of MMD. Am where I am in life on merit my friend whether MMD is in power am not worried & I don’t follow MMD becoz my family & relatives are benefiting. It has to be for the good of Zambia & its citizens. Given that am in the IT industry am mobilising a facebook, Linked in, digg & twitter WATCH THE SPACE. Viva Red…
#48
convince me/us,,,why should we stop the red card campaign,what has RB and his ministers done to justify their stay after 2011,what have you benefited from this govnt,educate us,give us reasons to believe and trust that things will get better for zambia
#48 point out your scientific points why RB is a great leader for Zambia and the development you only is able to see. He was taken out of retirement as a farmer but he has even failed this farming season to import enough farming inputs so how is he going to bring broad based development in Zambia.
The problem with MMD is there not performing had they been performing like they way they used to during LPM then it was to work out. Anyhow most of the Good decisions were made by LPM. There a few people performing like Felix Mutati.
This red card waste of time will go the same way as the impeachment process – nowhere. Are people in the rural areas even in Bembaland carrying red cards? How can the opposition jump on this bandwagon when they still have not made any policies on how they will govern the country as well as the make up of their cabinet? Getting rid of an elected government will only scare away investors which means all you fools will really have something to complain about when the hunger starts to bite. Give us alternative policies and then we might vote for you in 2011. We are certainly not going to give our support to tribalist genocidal catholic priests.
we want change…we want change!!!!!!!!
# 52 Lets go my man. We are tired of this chaps living off the government and busy shouting that our country is doing fine. Viva Redcard!!!!!!!!!! Our country is in shambles.No good Roads in residential areas, No proper running water(you have to think twice when mother nature calls), Corruption in government departments normalised……………………………Unresolved corruption charges for Chiluba and his friends.
mangani and ur fellow bulls..ur time is up..be careful n be gud…
# 56 Shalawambe. You are really behind. When were you last at home or in the Bembaland? The wind for change is blowing from Livingstone to Nakonde. Which investors do you refer to anyway? Investors this Investors that. Our country will only be redeemed by Zambians. Those fake investors come to Zambia to make money not to give us money or any development. VIVA REDCARD!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t see any problem with the red card campaigm. It’s not about removing anyone violently but rather to ‘unvote’ them out of office during next years general elections.
The government is deliberately misinterpreting the campaign and want to stop it cause it’s making them uncomfortable.
The red card campaigners need to make it abundantly clear that this is an election campaign strategy and violence is not on the ‘cards’ (excuse the pun).
ba fi colour you are going out!!!
What planet do these MMD thugs hail from? Shika, mangani, Katele, William (aUNIP man through and through), the whole lot. Certainly from Mother Earth, where the rest of us come from. There, we’re taught by our parents not to concorct lies. Abash MMD!!!
Mr.Mangani and the MMD are a threat to National security and not the people who are preparing us to come and make a reasonable choice in 2011. If we keep quite at the rate RB and is dogs are doing things, Zambia would go back 50yrs backward. Lets unite red card and coup deta are different u form 5! Kuya bebele
#56 Shalawambe
#60RedCard – Thank you for your insight- Shalwambe must realise that the so called investors have a nose for wealth and will go to any place for it war no war. An example is Angola where at the hieght of the Unita war these guys were there developing diamond mines. They were there being missed by bullets but this did not deter them. This peace you talk about is just an excuse by MMD to prolong their stay in power. Unip and Nevers Mumba used the same trick in 1991, but MMD won and have gone to war? Nevers is now enjoying the same fruits that he was condmning and posting nonsense on this blog.
Which wind of change are you talking about. Are you in Zambia or in Hell. You must be out of mind red carder. In the 1960s it was liberation strugle that is when Sata was a constable in the colonial police, In the 1990s it was a fight for democracy (multy partism) Sata was Kaundas Shushushu, In 2001 it was a fight to protect the Zambian constitution against greed Chiluba and Sata was the propagator for such evil, in 2011 there is nothing to fight for since Mwanawasa just died a year plus ago and all of us said he was a hard worker, it took him seven years to prove that. Now why not give RB chance. is it because he is not from Bemba land. Mwanawasa also under went alot of criticism just for the same reason.
No red card campaign and you can do nothing . . . .try and you will be thrown in side.
Let those ant red card mmd catholic cadres resign from catholic church and join any other where injustices are condoned
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA……….
Kwashala ama whistles to accompany red cards. Next it will be vuvuzelas….. Mawe!!
The campaign has started and there is no stopping,
Go to facebook and type Red Card for Rupiah Banda and his Cronies!!
I don’t see why the red card campaign is giving MMD a headache, if MMD thinks they still have a strong hold on Zed they better watch this space.
Well let us see if the red campaign will go the same of the so called ‘impeachment’! Where are the policies?
If I was in Zed, I would paint all the trees in my area red lol!
Red card to Mnagani.
how does a red card campaign agitate violence? This man should tread very carefully. He is likel;y to regress to a life of infikubala, delele and patapata. By then there will be no salvation as he will have made too many enemies.
Frankly, we don’t give a rat’s tail for any of these civil servants – they are our servants and they better behave themselves while we the people of Zambia wave our collective RED cards!! Viva Zambia!**==
Thanks Kaingu for giving us the proper meaning of M M D : Movement for Mad Dogs! Way to go!
I have just sent a RED card to all MMD ministers.
Let them try and stop this campaign.
Protest peacefully
Protest anytime you want.
Protest with patience.
Everyone keep a phone camera handy.
Capturing a moment for TV can change things.
MMD will not like it if the world see’s that they are brutal dictators who punish democracy.
MMD = No freedoms.
MMD -red card!!!; MMD- red card!!!; MMD- red card!!!; MMD red card!!!- MMD- red card!!!:((:((:((:((:d/:d/
RB-Red card!!! Mangani- Red card!!! shikapwasha-Red card!!!; Dora: Red card!!! ; Lupiya- Red card!!!; Kunda- Red card!!!:((:((:((:((
Red Card is health for MMD as a party. It means that people are not happy with what is going on and would like you to change things for the better. It gives you time to re organise yourselves in readiness for 2011. I appreciate it and would like to take it positively this time around. Together we can.
This “Red Card” campaign is gaining moment. Its not Just the MMD, its to all politicians in Zambia.