Police beatings of journalists
It is extremely sad and barbaric that in today’s Zambia some people can resort to beatings as a way of persuading those who disagree with them…it’s even more shameful that in this jubilee year when we should be reflecting on how peaceful we have been politically as a country some people are bent on erasing that history by pushing for headlines such as the one in the Daily Nation on Sunday about beating of Journalist last Friday.
What will our neighbours and others think of us…everyday hundreds of people visit Zambia such the bishop of Cantebury (The Head of the Anglican Church) who arrives in Zambia today… these people will be shocked to learn that a country they thought was peaceful is actually harboring hooligans who have no progressive ideas to put across except to fight in the name of politics..
[pullquote]It is why we won’t keep quiet and watch our country deteriorate to a point where violence is acceptable.[/pullquote]
Ceremonial Vice President
Currently our country is facing a critical challenge with tension at it’s highest because of the position of the ceremonial Vice President who can’t act as President when President Sata is away.This matter is so serious that investor confidence is at it’s lowest and this has began to affect the economy which ultimately affects the well being of Zambian families.Every Zambian is asking why President Sata has not appointed a VP who qualifies to act in his absence.
We should all be working towards resolving this constitutional crisis which clearly is as a result of the flawed constitution in place.Even though Zambia is a multiparty state, the rest of the current constitution is tailored towards supporting the structures of a one party state and that is why power sharing is difficult and institutions of governance can be manipulated.Time for the blame game is over and we all ought to be concerned with the impasse on the constitution instead of organizing beatings for journalists or indeed any other perceived opponents.
The fight against violence
Many of us always supported the existence of The Post news paper even when we were in Government because we believed that in a true democracy, the test is to defend the right of freedom of expression of those who disagree with you.It’s why we preferred debate, because no matter how heated it became, that is the only civilised manner of dealing with disagreements.
Now we continue to defend the existence of the Daily Nation, Blog media and others because even if we might not agree with them always, they too have the right to publish.The media can not be a monopoly of Government or a few individuals.
It is why we won’t keep quiet and watch our country deteriorate to a point where violence is acceptable. Let’s stop being intimidated and call on all institutions of governance…the Police, Judiciary Parliament, Political Parties, Media, NGOs and the Church to reflect our will as a people and frown strongly upon any person or group condoning violence.
The government which is for all Zambians must rise to the call above anyone else and condemn and punish those fanning violence without mercy.
Politics must be purely an activity where ideas for developing Zambia are advanced and the people freely elect those who convince them with the best ideas…And those who lose accept defeat graciously until next time.
The fight against violence is a fight for all of us and no one must be seen to protect the barbarians that want to destroy the future Zambia for our children. Let’s not miss an all time opportunity to correct what has been wrong the last 50 years, by continuing to point fingers, instead of dialoguing and compromising, so that those who will come after us, our children, will know we cared.
By Dora Siliya
..Ad feminam…Deleted
MWASHIBUKENI!! KWACHA NGWEE!!!
I’m beginning to wonder whether Zambian men are capable of articulating and analysing serious issues (other than football ofcourse!) I may not like madam Siliya but what she says is the truth.Police should not go around perpetuating violence and intimidating freedom of speech. MMD tried to change the constitution but PF blocked that remember? Or are our memories too short. Its no secret PF has been the worst government to grace our nation.MMD under Levy Mwanawasa had the chance to change the constitution and am sure he would have had he not prematurely died but we are here today with a F…party called PF and a screwed up police force.We should not insult Dora because she has the guts to condemn the human rights abuses taking place.
Fi LT busy deleting ama posts yama blockers, use-less online media
Ad feminam…Deleted
Agreed, we need to promote a humane and civil approach in resolving issues affecting our nation even in our diversity. Unfortunately, some bloggers will not reflect on the substance of your speech,… just because it is from you, dear Dora.
***********Ad feminam Deleted ……..she could have left a constitution that does not surport violence in the name of public order act and also a constitution that can let someone hardworking like Guy Scott not discriminated against. By the way, we have not forgorten William Banda.
Chiwamina garu …..kuluma Mbuzi. MMD was the worst. Madam, Dora if you talk about Lusaka Times, I would accept NOT watch dog. Let that boy from Times of Zambia join Watch Dog what is he waiting for? He is known so don’t support wrong thing Dora
THAT’S THE CHANGE U WANTED BAMAMBALA!MWAPYA
Complete HOGWASH, just *********
Stop negative regative reporting. Pf is doing great works out there. I drove to east prov over the week end. Great east rd will be dual carriedgway. 4 Lanes ba sir
Wabepa! Mu africa? Only us who live in developed states have seen dual carriageways that long!
Let all of us uphold what Zambia is known to be as land of peace.This fighting with pangas will take us no where otherwise the image of the country is slowly changing from good to worst country in the religion.
Can the man of action please show us the actions now when we need your leadership seriously.Lelo mama yami.
Misssss Siliya your MMD government was equally oppressive of press freedom. You were always controlling ZNBC Times Daily Mail ZANIS and didn’t want he independent media. Now you are able to champion press freedom because you arent in power. Yangu imwe!!
“The media can not be a monopoly of Government or a few individuals.” What a lovely statement. Dorah couldn’t see this when MMD owned all the media except for The Post. The nation has always asked for ZNBC, Times of Zambia and Daily Mail to be privatised and the ruling parties always disagree. Why are politicians only reasonable when they are not in power?
How I wish Mum Siliya said the same words when she was in govt and journalist like chansa kabwela were arrested
the post is still zambias largest circulation with more than 75% market share
Well written Dora; if only bloggers can read what is written and not just look at the author, they will begin to understand better;
Dora you are talking sense but the fact that you sold your soul to the Bwinjimfumu cartel and PF, you can never trusted. Either you have realised that the ship is sinking or you want the opposition to think you are part of them so that you can have inside info to hand over to the cartel.
ad feminam deleted
I wish this article by Dora was handed to someone in UPND or NAREP to sign it. Since this lady was once in power and behaved the same as what PF is doing now, serious people may not take this article to be serious. Anyway this article is timely good although if Dora was given the powers today she would do just like PF is doing even worse. In her article Dora should have first apologized to the Zambian people because am told that CHIWAMINA GALU KULUMA BA OPPOSITION.
Zambia is getting better and wrong doers are complaining Ati it is deteriorating and loafers are busy ululating.
Mmd was far much better than pf,especially under levy and RB,did they make mistakes,yes they did,but am positive that given another chance they will definitely ratify their short coming.HH should be our current choice and if he fails ,lets boot him out in 2021,by then Narep will be ripe and elia can take us to the promise land,a country flowing with milk and honey.
Dora Siliya….just over 3yrs today remember your arrogant MMD inviting the current president then in opposition, for questioning at DEC?What did u do with the same police? Any way am wasting my time. Ur memory is not reliable.
As a Zambia citizen I see no problem in people commenting on all so called governing issues but when only a certain group of people with hidden agendas keep on yapping and they say Zambian people. Does it mean they are the only ones to climb and shout on the ant hill…..no are they the only ones to be MRS? No……