The National Restoration Party (NAREP) has condemned the recent violence that has characterized the Mufumbwe by-elections campaigns in North Western province.
NAREP president Elias Chipimo Junior said in a statement today that if there was genuine political will at all levels to curb and eradicate violence from the political process, there would be an end to sad developments that happened to Zambezi West Member of Parliament, Charles Kakoma who was attacked, by suspected MMD cadres.
Mr Chipimo said it is deplorable that forty-five years after independence politicians could remain unacceptably silent when their followers are accused of perpetrating violence of any sort.
He added that if reports that the violence in Mufumbwe is being carried out by cadres who have been ferried from the Copperbelt and Lusaka it raises concerns about the future of the youth and how they would continue to be used by politicians to achieve their selfish aims.
Mr Chipomo noted that youths should be inspired and empowered with opportunities for training jobs rather than being used for violence.
He has demanded that political parties participating in the by-election avoid violence at all costs; stressing that violence is a clear sign of the failure to reason.
Mr Chipomo said his party believes that only constructive dialogue,promoted by selfless and value-based leadership would redeem Zambia from the bad state that currently is in.
He has further urged the police to investigate and arrest the culprits who are perpetrating the violence regardless of which political party they belong to.
NAREP leader said it is unacceptable in a democracy like Zambia that cadres could behave in such a fashion, adding that the electoral process should not be an issue of life and death.
He has since called for a national engagement for political parties and other stakeholders to reach a consensus on how violence in politics will be eradicated.
QFM
Did I hear a bird ….
Did I hear a bird? Where are my catapult?
May be we can learn from ULK politics. TV debates could be a good start in Zambia e.g between party presidents, or their Finance Ministers, etc etc. This is what is happening here in the UK.
Ba Elias go back to practicing law……look @ your friend HH he’s now reduced himself to RB and Satas level.
No.3,that cant happen in Zambia,majority of our people are illiterates.Zambian Politics is about personalities not issues.Politicians spend most of there time digging each other ‘s skeletons.:)>-
The big question is, WHY HAS MMD FAILED TO IMPLEMENT THE DECENTRALISATION POLICY?
Those in MMD know that their fear is that Councils will perform better, especially the City& Municipal Councils which are under the opposition, and that would be a threat to the survival of MMD. This is the perception of those in MMD, its sad to have such shallow minded leaders that can hold back the development of the nation for their own benefit at the expense of the masses.
Finally, are MMD controlled Councils doing better than those under opposition?
Can MMD tell us why Councils they control e.g. Kaoma in W. Province, Milenge in Luapula &Isoka have had misappropriation cases (not misapplication) What of AG reports on Central Govt?
Minister of MLGH, who’s MMD, approves all budgets for Councils.
Elias,
Why dont you even have candidate standing?
Rotten incapable leadership at the top will always produce bad results everywhere else. Full Stop!