Justice Minister Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula has urged political party leaders to desist from manipulating young people by using them as tools of violence.
Dr. Simbyakula notes that youths are vulnerable to manipulation by politicians more especially during elections.
Speaking during a Non -Violence political parties youth caucus meeting in Lusaka today, organized by the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Dr. Simbyakula expressed confidence that youths will learn conflict management skills which in turn will help them stay away from violent activities.
The Justice Minister has since called on all political party leaders to inculcate a non-violence culture in their party youths and adopt a peaceful behavior ahead of next year’s general election.
Speaking at the same event, YALI President Andrew Nthewewe says the objective of the caucus meeting is to strengthen youth’s participation in democratic process and build capacity so that they interrogate decisions made by politicians.
Meanwhile, UPND Vice President for Politics Dr. Canicius Banda says as long as Zambians continue to be uncivilized, it will be difficult to eliminate political violence in the country.
And Acting British High Commissioner to Zambia Melbourne Sean says the British Government stands ready to help Zambia in strengthening citizen’s voices and promoting peace.
Mr minister, it’s your party which has graduated from not just using youths as tools of violence, but has gone a step further by using the police to intimidate the opposition and not only that your party is even using gun-toting adult cadres, remember mulobezi?
Look who is talking. This is disgusting. Why are we still playing politics of deception? Mr Minister should be suggesting that his and other parties stop this dastardly backward practice of preying on the desperate to get ahead. Zambian politics has been well crafted to keep most of its population deprived and depraved enough to be manipulated to the benefit of the powerful (in this case powerful is so superficial that it means overlording over the hungry and dispossessed). I get very very disgusted whenever I read statements like this.
Comment: Hear what canicius is saying. As long as the youth remain uncivilised they will be used as tools for violence. So there is nothing you can do about it,then stop complaining when violence takes place. Typical of unpd,not offering solutions. Desperation has made you to be too provocative.