Crime and Lawlessness under the PF
The PF never promised us more crime in our cities but that is exactly what Zambia has inherited by making the decision to vote them into power. The travel advisory by the United States government last week on Wednesday warning its citizens to be aware of the increased crime rate in the country should come as no surprise.
There are two major drivers behind the current crime rate in the country: the high cost of living; and the sense of lawlessness that has characterised the short time that the PF has been in government.
[pullquote]The failures of the PF are not the PF’s problems. They are our problems[/pullquote]
Progression of crime
When a nation is facing economic hardships, it is to be expected that people at the more vulnerable end of society that lack any form of social safety net will be tempted to resort to petty crime to get by. This can quickly establish itself into a pattern of behavior that becomes a way of life, outlasting the harsh times and becoming a fixed feature of society. It can also become a full-blown disease that allows petty thieves to graduate into hardened criminals, developing themselves into organised networks that finance politicians and determine outcomes of electoral contests.
Eventually it becomes hard to tell the politician from the criminal; the normal from the abnormal; lies from truth. Soon – out of selfish interest and vain conceit – people begin to sing praises to those in power in an attempt to make them appear less of a threat to the people than they really are. But the truth is never far and the reality of what the people are feeling can never be ignored.
Politicians not affected by high cost of living
The economy is taking a devastating toll on the lives of ordinary Zambians: mealie-meal prices are skyrocketing; transportation costs are ever rising; the cost of importing goods is at its highest levels in our history; the deteriorating purchasing power of consumers has meant that businesses, markets and stores that need strong sales to keep their businesses afloat, are experiencing a very distinct shortage of customers.
In the meantime, life goes on happily for those in power and the minions that depend on them. Every time fuel prices increase, members of cabinet, deputy ministers, permanent secretaries and other civil servants at a particular grade of seniority do not feel the effect of this increase. Their conditions of service are set in such a way that they continue to enjoy their full allocation of fuel (regardless of the price increase). Senior politicians from the ruling party remain silent in the face of violence perpetrated in their name because it suits their short-term interests to do so.
Do not be intimidated into silence
A country intimidated into silence will not demand its right to better leadership nor challenge the abuse of power and corruption that characterises nations that deny their people the right to assemble and speak freely.
But now is not the time to remain silent. Now is the time to rise up and be counted among those that would defend the Zambia we want our children and their children to inherit. Remaining silent should never be an option when faced with provocation that threatens our common heritage. The PF were not elected to serve their own supporters. Such thinking is not born of the type of leadership our nation requires. The PF were elected to serve the people of Zambia. Their surest way of retaining that power should not be based on intimidating those with dissenting voices. It should be based on a determination to address the most pressing needs of all communities while supporting the ability of every person to attain their highest potential.
We each need to ask ourselves some searching question and answer them honestly: “What am I doing today to stand up against the tyranny of intolerance that has characterised my country”?“What have I done to ensure that I will leave my country better off than I found it”? “What am I doing to promote greater tolerance and inclusivity”? “What am I doing to ensure that violence does not become an accepted part of our culture and the means through which we resolve our disputes”? We need – in short – to be asking ourselves: “What am I doing to make a positive difference”?
The failures of the PF are not the PF’s problems. They are our problems. The sooner we realise this the better. Let us not fold our arms and continue being accomplices to mediocrity and tyranny by our silence or unwillingness to act or get involved. Zambia belongs to each and every one of us and we have a duty to make it the place we can all feel proud to belong to.
Elias C Chipimo
President
National Restoration Party (NAREP)
Mr Chipimo spends more time on statements than campaigning.
What a lost soul, I started reading his statements and was awaken by mobile phone
So sad he doesn’t realise his strategy is misplaced
Thanks
It is sad that Zambia has reached a level where the US is now issuing travel warnings on Zambia. What Chipimo has said is true..I like the line failures of PF are not PF’s problems but our problems. PF is representative of Zambians.This means Zambians have become corrupt,thieving,have a laissez -faire attitude about important economic issues etc..why else would we have voted PF? Now we are in this mess we need to fix it! Zero tolerance to intimidation,violence and lawlessness whether committed by a government official or a lowly marketeer….Lets do this!
MMD killed 14 people in barotseland and there was no talk of US travel advisory. PF has not implemented the gay rights issues.The US is not happy period.This country is peaceful.
Youarean*****tosayZambiaispeaceful!
Its not about the person as I see it, it’s about the message.
What Mr Chipimo has said must be supported by all those who love law, order and justice regardless of whether one is ADD, ABZ, FDD, MMD, PF or UPND etcetera. No amount of human rights violations will stop people standing for their human rights. This lawlessness engulfing Zambia should be stopped immediately before the future of the children will be destroyed.
Time is now. Its good that Chipimo has come out, even if some above assuredly dislike statements. At least statements have their own purposes, pursuant to freedom of speech or expression. Writing is a very fundamental principle in succeeding not only academically, but also artistically.
PF has obligations to provide the people with peace and security, not violence.
“The failures of the PF are not the PF’s problems…. Let us not … continue being accomplices … by our silence or unwillingness to act or get involved.” Well put, Mr Chipimo. But what action can we take t get involved?
Elias Chipimo is indeed a leader. we need such leaders.
Ba Chipimo i will vote for you in 2016. We need some sanity in this country. For now kuwayawafye.
Which country has the highest rate of crime-south africa,nigeria or zambia? Then those of you that apear apear to be excited by any thng negative abt p.f answer the quest,has the u.s. done the same thng to thse countries? Drop the diapers and start makng sme bit of sense.
They already did that many years ago. The latest inclusion now is Zambia. Sad indeed.
New York is the world’s highest in crime, so chipimo or pamela, whatever you name is, stop worrying us with Americans. how many people have they killed world over?
National Security is better served by mutual collaboration between countries that choose peace and stability. The statement from America is sounding confrontational or proud and selfish. Crime in certain parts of the world is high compared to Zambia. It is wrong to paint a dark and gloomy picture here.
Crime alert is a serious concern. US has issued one on Zambia and all the Western Countries will tap into it. This will mean less tourist from the West and therefore less forex into Zambia. Less forex means further Kwacha depn and more hardship for the Zambian poor. PF should take corrective measures now if they are capable or we risk becoming another Zimbabwe.
US is not paradise.Chipimo google the country with most crime rate in the World….Why don’t you say you are not surprised America advocates gay,shooting at school children,shooting at military bases,shooting at theatres,2pac/BIG shooting,bombing by Russian students…shut yo asss muppet.
Below is the full statement
The U.S. Embassy would like to inform U.S. citizens of a reported increase in crime in Zambia. Reports indicate that many residential neighborhoods throughout the country continue to experience an increase in crimes against both people and property. Carjackings, assaults, and burglaries continue to occur in neighborhoods across Zambia and affect both foreigners and Zambian citizens alike, although U.S. citizens have not been specifically singled out by reason of their nationality.
The U.S. Embassy also continues to receive reports of vehicles being struck by rocks while traveling along Leopard’s Hill Road in Lusaka. The most recent incident allegedly occurred on April 4, 2014 at approximately 11:30 p.m.
Although the majority of reported incidents occur in…
cont:crime may occur anywhere. The overall crime threat in Zambia remains high, and we remind you to take normal precautions to ensure your personal security.Please contact the local police and notify the U.S. Embassy if you are a victim of a crime. The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Zambia is 999. Police response, particularly outside major cities, varies and may be delayed due to a lack of vehicles and other resources.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Zambia enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) ******* enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly
African leaders who bend to western thought are traitors. Western countries always have hidden agendas in statements they issue on African countries. Who talks about their high crimes? Children shoot each other in their schools. Where ever there is high economic activity and development crime also rises. Chipimo should not be so naïve. Next he will be supporting the US led homosexual campaign in Zambia. Watch out for such weak leaders.
Any sensible person would not be surprised, by the advisory statement by the US. Under Sata, Zambia is now uncivilized country, no different from Congo DR, and our country fast sliding into a Failed State. Its really unfortunate!
PF is good at ignoring real issues. Crime is on the increase in Lusaka, and driving with valuable in the car is a call for attack by kaponyas. please pf start sorting out the unruly behavior of kaponyas in the streets of Lusaka
What a country!
ba Cindy ndimwe ikalenifye uko muli. what a country? why stick your ka nose in the affairs of the country you despise so much? kupusa monga RB navibana vake
This is the man who should be Zambia’s president. Its long overdue.
@Donchi…epologaram bamwine. SON OF A CADRE, JUST EAT TILL 2016 When you will be recalled together with you cadre parents.