The Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) has condemned the actions of the police in Eastern Province where farmers intending to stage peaceful demonstrations were beaten by the law enforcers.
FDD National Secretary Nathan Mulonga says it is unacceptable that the farmers are treated in such a manner as if it their fault that they have not been paid when the delay is due to the politicians in government.
Mr. Mulonga advised the police to avoid being used politicians in their execution of duty.
“We as FDD condemn the brutal actions of the Police in which farmers who intended to stage a peaceful demonstration in Chipata to demand for their money treated.
“It is highly unacceptable that farmers should be treated in such a manner by the police when they clearly know that it is not their fault but that of the politicians in government who have looted the resources meant to pay the farmers which has lead to the delay in paying their dues.
“We urge the Police to stop being used by the politicians to beat and intimidate small scale farmers who are just demanding for the hard earned money which they are suppose to use in the just started farming season,” said Mr. Mulonga.
He added “the politicians who sent the police to beat up the poor farmers have paid for their children’s school fees, bought input for their farms while the poor farmers are still waiting for their little money.”
Mr. Mulonga also called on the Human Rights Commission to consider looking into the matter as it boarders human rights violation.
“We also urge the human rights commission to look into the issue and ensure that the police officers involved in the incident are brought to book,” he said.
He further called on government to pay the farmers immediately.
“The PF Government have failed the poor farmers in the country as they have continued to sing the same song since taking over power. They have failed to provide farming inputs on time and they don’t pay the farmers on time for their produce.
“We urge the PF government to immediately pay the farmers across the country their dues so that they can start planting as the season has commenced and any further delay by government to pay the farmers will negatively affect the farmers and next year’s yield.
“We know that money for farmers was budgeted for in the last budget hence the delay is uncalled for and a punishment to the hard working farmers who feed this nation.”
Meanwhile Mr. Mulonga has promised to overhaul the agriculture system once his party voted into office.
“As FDD we believe the perennial challenges in the agriculture sector can easily be dealt with effectively by decentralizing the governance system of this country.
“We continue to face the same challenges in this sector because of the over-centralized governance system which puts the nation at the mercy of government officials in Lusaka.
“When Voted into office we plan to overhaul this system and ensure that each district administers its own resources so as to avoid having these problems year in and year out.
“We plan to empower the farmer through mechanization of the farming industry so that our farmers can stop using hoes and move to using tractors and modern farming equipments and technologies which will maximize their out put.”
He continued “this can be done by ensuring that the farmer is given sustainable support such as giving loans for equipment as opposed to the half bags of seed and fertilizer which perpetrates poverty.”
Mr. Mulonga was reacting to the delay by government to pay small scale farmers who supplied maize to the food reserve agency which has resulted into farmers storming district offices across the country to demand for their money.
Every little bit counts in alienation of the people from the ruling party. The police are part of the league towards that. The virus of violence and muzzling was started and promoted by the PF big wigs and it spread to most government institutions. It is simple logic, you use institutions of government to annoy or beat up the voters, the voters will not vote for you but your opponent. Surely PF must understand this, or does it?
What? You mean PF beat up farmers for demanding to be paid?
January 20th is too far. It is better to vote next monday. These PF thugs need go please.
@ Nostradamus. Lol. You hit the nail on the head. 20 Jan, 2015 is way toooo far.
Its shame full that Police are quick to arrest hardworking farmers and slow to arrest edgar Lung’s thugs that are busy harassing Zambian citizens. PF’s double dealing will cost them there votes. I can with a clear mind describe PF as a group of organized criminals to embezo Zambian’s government coffers, with impunity.This is a reason why they are fighting like mad goats in public.VIVA Farmer no.1,Viva HH.Its your god chosen time to demonstrate to these uncivilized criminals how to govern people in dignity and Peace.
There is no news! One retiree covering the front page? We want the judo, Kung-fu and ifibaka ne konya we have become used to on this free channel from PF otherwise this is so boring. PF please, fight fight fight…..
PF has fully failed the people of Zambia, it is all written this is a project failure (PF). The end is now under 38 days away. Farmers do not vote for these people as they will only send you deeper into poverty.
Pa PF forget getting votes from farmers across the country. You have lost votes from rural areas. We are going to try HH.
Hakainde Hichilema is the youthful and energetic leader of the major opposition political party, the UPND.
Hichilema was born on 4 June 1962 to a poor family in a village in the district of Monze. Life started out tough, but Hichilema’s grit and determination in pursuing his studies paid off when he was awarded a scholarship to the University of Zambia where he studied and graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics and Business Administration. He then went on to obtain an MBA degree in Finance and Business Strategy from the University of Birmingham in Britain.
Since then, Hichilema, affectionately known as ‘HH,’ has carved out an impressive track record in business, both locally and internationally.
Hichilema used his university education to break down social…
That’s truly unacceptable… But the question is if it was FDD in govrnment would they have done it different .. If not worse!!!
@Dino Nawakwi and HH are farmers they can not fail to pay farmers there due.PF took there money to sata’s funeral and buying fertilizer from Saudi Arabia were sata and Bashi nono got huge kick backs. Bakabolala,bakolokonwe. Up now farmers have no fertilizer. It hurts me when hear a normal Zambian in Lusaka saying Vote Edgar Lungu a drunkered ,he grew in kitwe with no agriculture background.He does know that 80% of Zambians depend on agriculture for lively hood.
What has this to do with Edgar Lungu?
In case you are not aware a white man called Guy Scott
Is the one who has given permission to use the shambok on African Zambians in Eastern province.
Dear FDD
To STOP beating of farmers by police in Eastern Province
HH is the answer
2015 Vote HH
I thank you
I remember someone wondering what human rights issues we have in zambia. In case you where still in doubt here is your answer. HH was right when among other concerns he listed human rights as one of the matters his new government would address. The harsh policing tactics and culture needs to end. Police force is meant to serve and protect not abuse and intimidate the very citizens they should serve. PF OUT!
For crying out loud can pf die already?!!! Edgar lungu needs a reality check if he thinks his name will appear on the presidential nomination list coz even if he wins the pf presidency there’s still the matter of his malawian mother. No brainer zoona. The pf’s campaign message is going to be hilarious ciz knowing dull pf one of their promises will be to ensure farmers are paid on time. Haha! Twats!
i feel so sad to hear of someone beating a poor farmer who helps in mantaining peace by providing food to the nation surely is pf thinking whoever is doing that must be mad pay poor farmers their dues please we know that your man who died from unnamed disease spent money on his treatment but please find something to pay these farmers we cant afford to mistreat these pontential voters hh please come help this confused nation to move forward come 20 january 2015 all rural people come and flash out these fools
where is mr chikwanda minister of finance can you find money to pay these poor farmers country wide dont just keep quite we know you spent alot of money on your bululu but find something
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