NO political party should aim at forming government to unduly execute retribution and vengeance on its citizens but rather to cultivate a sense of unity and cohesion after taking over leadership, former president Rupiah Banda has advised.
He said the culture of political vindictiveness, vengeance, retribution and pure political hatred should never be allowed to be nurtured because such vices had only achieved persecution against selected citizens in the country.
Mr Banda said the continued threats by the UPND that President Edgar Lungu will have his immunity from prosecution removed if the opposition political party formed government after the August general elections had the potential to create tension during the election campaign period.
He said Zambians and all political parties should be happy that the country was going to the elections to choose new leaders or renew the mandate of those governing and that the electioneering period should not be tensed by threats of arrests of a sitting President.
Mr Banda said successive governments should endeavour to promote peace by resisting the temptation to embark on a retribution campaign in which former presidents and other leaders of a former ruling party became victims of persecution under the guise of the fight against corruption. He said some people had mastered the art of settling political scores against their perceived enemies using State institutions and apparatus.
Mr Banda said when a Government embarks on pursuing and persecuting formers leaders, the resultant effect was that good governance was likely to suffer while efforts to continue developing the country often got undermined.
Yesterday, UPND vice-president Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba vowed that should his party form Government after the August general elections, the first thing they would embark on was to remove President Lungu’s immunity, investigate and send him to jail together with Daily Nation proprietor Richard Sakala whom he has been accusing of corruption.
“Retribution, vengeance, vindictiveness and persecution is not the best way of governing the country. Threats that President Lungu will be arrested by the UPND should the opposition party form government is creating tension in the election period. The development of the country often suffers when a government embarks on retribution, vengeance and persecution of former leaders. I have been a victim myself and the PF at the time concentrated on pursuing me and stopped thinking about developing the country. We should never get back to such days and political parties should aspire to form government not to come and settle scores against their perceived enemies,” former president Banda said. He said it was not good for a country to have a President who was governing the country with constant fear that he would be arrested after leaving the presidency.
Mr Banda explained that Zambia was the only country in Southern Africa where former presidents had lost immunity and have been prosecuted under the guise of fighting corruption, a culture he said was not good for national development.
He said there was a lot of bitterness among political party leaders and that it was important to know that there should be progression each time there was a change of government and that political leaders should avoid preaching messages of hate and vindictiveness.
“I would like to tell fellow Zambians that hate speech and persecution can easily divide the country. Just like we wanted to have the new Constitution, we must be happy that we are going for elections in peace and unity and not tensing the political environment,” former president Banda said
Well spoken RB. preach to these dull mothar fukks.
Lungu Tells Zuma To STOP Xenophobia ~Flashback ~
April 15, 2015 (DAILY MAIL)
Republican President Edgar Lungu says he has written to African Union chairperson Robert Mugabe on the xenophobia attacks in South Africa.
And President Lungu took a dig at his critics urging them to give him space to work and not distract him.
President Lungu who was on his way to Muchinga Province where he was due to
commission the Michael Sata Hospital that has come off phase one told journalists that the xenophobia attacks in South Africa were unfortunate after many Zambians and other African countries had played a significant role in liberating the regional powerhouse from the shackles of apartheid.
“What is happening in South Africa is unfortunate and I have written to the AU chairperson…
…Robert Mugabe on the situation. We are all worried as Zambians and other countries as they helped South Africa fight apartheid,” he said.
“Something is wrong with the people of South Africa that are attacking other nationals and the leadership in that country should deal with that problem.”
Thousands of foreign nationals are being targeted for xenophobic attacks with deaths recorded included the grisly method of burning alive.
But with the violence & xenophobia going around the country, Lungu with visionless PF have been mute!
As usual, PF bandits want to blame the opposition parties & global variables to their failures of denouncing violence.
Lungu & PF, when will you condemn & halt the violence?
21 days left for parliament to be dissolved & PF MPs to scamper into…
…into political migration. PF & Lungu are feeling the heat & pressure in clumping ECZ to print the ballot papers in Dubai.
Instead, channel the resources to combat xenophobic violence in Zambia rather than wasting monies for printing ballot papers in the far end in Dubai, compared to the near South Africa. Best to even print them locally.
100 left to kicking visionless PF out by voting wisely Forward on 11~8.
The Skeleton Key
~206~
Ok a Banda tanvela. We wont arrest anyone including Chagwa except only those who will attempt to rig the august election who will be charged with treason. We have many eyes everywhere seeing who is doing what. We won you in advance stop preparing rigging for PF. things are 50-50 even if OPF is going to rig and it may lose and if that happens, anyone colluding with PF to rig will be caged for a long time. the law is very clear.
One of our best periods is ’01-’08 & during that period half of FTJ’s govt was in court for crimes committed while in office. Point being no one should go into govt for the sole purpose of plundering. Actually we should be rid of this immunity nonsense so that a criminal head of state can be prosecuted even while he’s still in office. This will act as a deterrent to would be john longfingers.
Yes, UPND and HH, please don’t arrest me when you come into power in August.
I know I am guilty of plundering state resources, so pulizi napapata
I can almost sense a feeling of confession.
So uniting.
He is guilty. If you abuse office, you will be investigated and thrown into jail if found guilt. Don’t go into power to steal from the poor like Banda did.
Well spoken rb tell thm,thoz who are hungry for power
And presidents should not steal or engage in corruption.
What do you say about that RB.??
Those who steal must face the law regardless of their status in society. Actually arresting a former president for stealing while in office sends a strong message that no one is above the law. Presidents should lead by example and desist from engaging in illicit activities while in power, otherwise, they should be the first one to face the law.
Retribution and Vindictiveness must be condemned by all well meaning Zambians says RB,well said HE but tell that to Rajan Mathani probably he will agree with you more!!!!
That makes a case for NOT voting UPND!
One of the fathers of Zambia has spoken.Yes we will not vote for them.
RB, are you panicking? Be ready to justify your wealth. Justice must be done. Law applies EQUALLY to all.
It is not right that for stealing chicken because hungry will put you in jail, but stealing billions from People will earn you immunity.
Sure Hard Headed or HARD HEARTED and his team must never be allowed anywhere near the state house.
Hiding behind giving advice knowing fully well that all the fraudulent acquittals will resurface and someone will be made to account for their crookedness. Thanks Mr Former President but No Thank you.
Lungu and his fellow criminals MUST BE JAILED. How can a Nation let the BIGGEST THIEVES IN THE LAND walk away with their ill gotten gains scot free? What message does this sent to the next Government and aspiring candidates? Must they believe that being elected to public office is a road to instant riches with no consequences?
Positions in Government must be seen as PUBLIC SERVICE to benefit the whole Nation and future generations, not a get-rich-quick scheme!
Courts will decide on guilt or innocence. Zambia and its people deserve JUSTICE!