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Patriotic Front president Michael Sata is the most preferred candidate ahead of this year’s polls according to the opinion poll conducted by the Center for Policy Dialogue.
CPD executive director Neo Simutanyi announced in Lusaka this morning that if elections were held today, PF president Michael Sata would get overall 31 percent of the votes, closely followed by MMD’s Rupiah Banda with 28 percent, with Hakainde Hichilema getting 12 percent.
Dr. Simutanyi further stated that in terms of voter preference of a political party, the Patriotic Front is likely to obtain the largest number of votes if elections were held today, with 29 percent of voters favoring the largest opposition political party.
He adds that the MMD would get 27 percent with the United Party for National Development getting 10 percent of vote preference.
Dr Simutanyi says his organization conducted a public opinion with a national representative sample of 1,200 registered Zambian voters.
He says the poll was conducted from 14th to the 24th of April 2011 and it covered all the nine provinces of the country and 19 districts.
He observed that a closer examination of electoral preferences suggests that there has been little shift from the 2006 and 2008 scenarios.
Dr. Simutanyi stated that the PF and Michael Sata still command support in their traditional areas of Lusaka, Copperbelt, Luapula and Northern Provinces.
He further observed that the support of all major parties declined significantly from 2008 elections in the areas they claim to have support.
The opinion poll further reveals that 47 percent of Zambians consider overall government performance so far as poor or very poor.
He says 43 percent of the respondents reported that they do not approve the performance of president Rupiah Banda.
There are media reports that there are some Muslim organisations who are planning an anti-Israel convoy that will start from Cape Town in South Africa and pass through several African countries including Zambia enroute to Gaza.
This must not be allowed in Zambia at all costs. The blockade of Gaza, though inhuman, is a political feud between Hamas and Israel because Hamas does not recognise Israel’s right to exist and wants to wipe it out of the face of the earth. The West Bank where Fatah rules is not blockaded because Fatah recognises Israel’s right to exist.
This persistent behaviour by a select few extremistic Muslims and their organisations to get involved in politics of hate, retribution and vengence is the reason the Pope expressed concern over the emergency of what he termed “Political Islam.” And he was being extremely mild. Zambia must add its voice to the Holy Father’s by NOT allowing that convoy on our soil.
Africa has known what it means to be occupied and ‘blockaded.’ We recognised it as a political predicament and fought it as such. If Arab Muslims want to support their Arab brothers, let them do so politically, not religiously. If they do it religiously, they should advance peace and unity not hatred and vengence.
It is even an insult for these people to want to start this convoy in South Africa, in the bid to liken Israel’s blockade of Gaza and just the whole Palestinian issue to Apartheid. The story of apartheid is not complete without the story of the ANC’s struggle; a struggle which was violent only when ANC was provoked. Overall, the ANC’s struggle against apartheid was non-violent; and this non-violence was epitomised in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in which the occupied reconciled with the occupier in pursuance of peace and unity.
Hamas’ founding charter is violence to exteminate Jews; they do not respond to violence, they provoke it. Unapologetically! ANC never sought to exterminate boers. South Africa must not allow anybody, individual or organisation, who sympathises with such a cause to even set foot on its soil. Such people will dent the legacy of the ANC’s struggle and its values. Nelson Mandela is not an icon for nothing!
Confusion at FAZ AGM after it was anounced the Vote of No confidence motion was withdrawn
MAZABUKA United chairperson, Evans Mushiba has lodged a complaint with Zambia Police for alleged intimidation by Football House officials he accuses of forcing him to withdraw the vote-of-no-confidence motion at last Saturday’s annual general meeting (AGM).
According to a letter of April 30 addressed to the officer in-charge in Lusaka and made available to the Times, Mushiba said the club was allegedly warned by FAZ committee member, James Mpoma of unspecified action at the AGM in Kabwe if the club did not withdraw the motion.
He claimed that his club was assured that the outstanding K8 million registration fees owed to FAZ would be cleared should he withdraw the motion.
He said on April 28, 2011 around 21:00hours he received a call from Mpoma who said he wanted to see him urgently and that when he met him, Mpoma told him there was no possibility of the motion going ahead at the AGM as the FAZ executive committee had done everything possible to ensure that it failed and that FIFA and CAF representatives were heavily in support.
He said Mpoma told him that even if the motion went through, they (Kalusha executive) would still remain in office and prepare for next year’s FAZ elections and that acting interim general secretary Simataa Simataa and many others were on a list to be banned for life on the day of the AGM.
[pullquote]“But I rejected and instead I gave only one reason which was in line with the intimidation they talked about. Of course, they assured that our outstanding registration fees of K8 million would be cleared and things will not be difficult for us,” he said.[/pullquote]
Mushiba said on that assumption, he got intimidated because he did not know what would happen to the club and individuals who signed the letter after the AGM, adding that he asked Mpoma to give him time to think about it.
“The following day, I called Njobvu and briefed him about these challenges and after analysing one of the conditions and contents of the secondment of the motion by Pemba United and I quote ‘A motion once seconded ceases to belong to the parties who raised it and becomes the property of the meeting to which it should be raised. Therefore, any withdrawal of the proposal or secondment by parties that raised it is null and void,” he said.
Mushiba said based on that, he together with Njobvu agreed to go by the demands of the FAZ executive since the two of them were not certain what would have happened to them as individuals and as clubs.
And on the same day, he said he was given a draft of the proposed withdrawal letter of the motion which he said was prepared by a named FAZ executive member containing a number of reasons for withdrawing the motion.
“But I rejected and instead I gave only one reason which was in line with the intimidation they talked about. Of course, they assured that our outstanding registration fees of K8 million would be cleared and things will not be difficult for us,” he said.
He added that as a club they were also advised not to attend the AGM, but the club did so, so that they could reveal what transpired to the councillors.
Mushiba explained how on February 21, 2011 his club submitted in accordance with article 17 (1b) and (x) for inclusion on the 2011 AGM agenda scheduled for March 26 – a vote-of-no-confidence motion against the Kalusha Bwalya executive committee was proposed by the club.
He said on behalf of the two-thirds councillors arising from the tri-partite meeting held in Zurich on December 20 last year, attended by Government, Sports Council officials, representatives of the Kalusha administration and the Andrew Kamanga interim committee, it was resolved that the vote-of-no-confidence motion be put on the agenda for the AGM.
Meanwhile, FAZ has summoned leaders of the newly-formed National Football League Andrew Kamanga and Simataa Simataa for a disciplinary meeting on charges of starting a parallel league, contrary to the rules.
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) leader Michael Sata has condemned the organisers of his meeting with Zambian residents in London when it was clear that only few people would turn up for his address.
The PF leader, who is in London, was expecting to address a huge crowd but was disappointed that only a handful of people attended his meeting.
The meeting almost flopped following the decision by many Zambians to shun the gathering at Oxford University, forcing Mr Sata to sound verbal attacks against the organisers.
The meeting was attended by former Kafue member of Parliament Bob Sichinga and former Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum secretary general, Kasuka Mutukwa.
Sources in Mr Sata’s delegation said the PF leader was in London to raise money to hire a chopper and other campaign activities apart from medical check-ups during his tour.
“On Saturday, two days before the meeting that took place on Monday, Mr Sata was asked to address Zambians in the UK but only met less than 20 people and sounded his displeasure to the organisers,” the source said.
Former MMD and ZADECO member Mbita Chitala, who is also in the UK, addressed the Oxford gathering to explain why he was in support of the PF leader.
Mr Sata is alleged to have been invited to give a lecture on how to build a strong opposition party in Africa by some UK-based Zambian students who are said to have been researching on opposition politics in Africa.
The source said Mr Sata was also planning to meet Zambian residents in Manchester and London on unspecified dates and unknown agenda.
“It appears Mr Sata also wants to be exposed to possible sponsors and partners in the UK as Zambia draws closer to the general elections.
“Mr Sata is also expected to meet Zambian communities in Manchester and London on unspecified dates,” said one source who attended the meeting at Oxford.
The seminar was about populism and opposition politics in Africa and was called by the department of politics and international relations at Oxford University.
Other topics discussed at the Oxford gathering included ‘Popular politics and resistance movements in South Africa’ by William Beinart of Oxford, ‘Opposition politics in Zambia and the rise of ethno-populism’ by Miles Larmer of Sheffield and ‘In search of the populist vote’ jointly done by Nic Cheeseman of Oxford and Rob Ford of Manchester.
Mr Sata was invited to Oxford University to speak at a workshop entitled Democracy, Populism, and Opposition Politics.
“We invited him simply because he has been a successful opposition leader and so we asked him to speak about how he has improved the performance of the PF from its inception to the last presidential by-election,” said Nic Cheeseman, who is head of the organising team and also a lecturer at Oxford University.
And when asked about his support for gays and lesbians, Mr Sata tried to backtrack from his earlier position, saying he did not support or advocate gay rights.
Recently, Mr Sata told a Danish media crew that Zambia recognised homosexuality and that laws were already there although what was remaining was to implement them.
National housing Authority managing director Elias Mpondela and Labour Minister Austin Liato view the new houses erected by Mr Mpondela's company in Lusaka east
THE National Housing Authority (NHA) and Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) have signed an agreement with a Nigerian construction company, Urban Shelter, to build 5,000 housing units in Lusaka.
The agreement will involve over US$10 million and will run for three years – from 2011 to 2013.
The houses will be built in Lusaka’s North Gate area.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lusaka on Tuesday, NHA chief executive officer Elias Mpondela said the construction of 5,000 houses will help Zambia reduce the over two million housing deficit.
“At NHA, our desire is to provide quality and affordable houses to our people. The coming of Urban Shelter to Zambia will help us to reduce the over two million housing deficit the country is facing,” Mr Mpondela said.
He said NHA will provide about seven to eight hectares of land to Urban Shelter for the construction of the houses.
Mr Mpondela said the current shortage of houses can be dealt with through the public private partnership programme, which NHA has entered into with the Nigerian company.
Urban Shelter assistant general manager Raheem Taofiq said his company will start the drafting and planning of the houses this year, and is expected to build the units in 2013.
Mr Taofiq said his company will use local materials and employ over 300 local people during the three-year project.
“Urban Shelter will build modern houses ranging from two, three, four and five bedrooms. We are scheduled to complete this project in 36 months,” he said.
Mr Taofiq said Urban Shelter will engage both skilled and non-skilled employees in Zambia because his company does not believe in out-sourcing labour.
Earlier, Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria John Mwaimba said the coming of Urban Shelter to Zambia is a result of President Banda’s good governance.
Mr Mwaimba said Mr Banda has managed to lure a lot of investors to Zamabia not just from Nigeria but also from other countries.
“President Banda has shamed his critics, who always condemn his trips abroad. But the coming of Urban Shelter and other investors from Nigeria is an indication of his prudent administration,” he said.
And Nigerian Investment Promotions Centre director Waziri Zanna assured Zambia that Urban Shelter will build quality and affordable houses.
THE National Union of Communication Workers (NUCW) has threatened to take legal action against mobile telecommunication service provider MTN-Zambia for allegedly insisting on settling its former workers’ redundancy packages using the minimum wage.
Union president Patrick Kaonga said MTN-Zambia’s insistence to settle its former workers’ redundancy package through the minimum wage is against the law.
Mr Kaonga said the law stipulates that where there is a union representation, the union and management have an obligation to negotiate the redundancy package.
He said in a statement issue in Lusaka yesterday the union’s protracted negotiations have not yielded any results as MTN-Zambia management is trying to impose the minimum wage as the mode of settling the former workers’ dues.
Mr Kaonga said MTN-Zambia is allegedly flouting the country’s labour laws with impunity, adding that this leaves the union with no choice but to take court action against the telecommunication company as a remedial measure.
He has urged Government to strictly monitor some of the foreign investors who he said have the propensity to disregard the country’s labour laws.
Mr Kaonga said Government should ensure Zambian workers are protected from exploitation by their employers.
He said he is disappointed at some foreign investors who have continued to exploit Zambian workers while amassing huge profits.
The union has, however, commended Airtel-Zambia for the manner in which it handled the outsourcing of the call centre.
DEFENCE Minister Kalombo Mwansa says the Ministry of Defence has not procured any arms or equipment amounting to US$100 million in the recent past.
Dr Mwansa said his ministry and the ministry of Finance and National Planning have no records indicating that the country procured arms worth that amount.
He said former Minister of Defence George Mpombo’s allegations that President Banda was involved in such a deal are unfounded and should be treated with contempt.
“It is uncalled for, for anyone to misinform the nation on such a sensitive matter which borders on national security. The Ministry of Defence was only compelled to respond because people have continued to comment on the matter without facts,” he said.
Dr Mwansa, who was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, said the ministry has a legal and stringent arms procurement process in which the President is not involved at all.
“It is clear that the President, or indeed the son of the President (James Banda), cannot be connected to the supply of equipment or arms to the Ministry of Defence. The procurement process is very stringent and does not directly involve the Head of State or State House,” Dr Mwansa said.
“It is unfair for Mr Mpombo to allege that President Banda was involved in an arms deal which in fact did not take place.
“We have never procured arms worth such an amount in the recent past and we have not made such a deal with any such company,” Dr Mwansa said.
Dr Mwansa said the President’s son James has had no dealings with the Ministry of Defence and implicating him in such a manner because of his relationship with the President is uncalled for.
[pullquote]“Even after approval is given, a contract will only be signed after the Attorney General has scrutinised it and given his legal opinion and through this whole process, the President has no role whatsoever,” Dr Mwansa said.[/pullquote]
He said because of the sensitive nature of arms procurement, it is the duty of the Ministry of Defence to ensure the strictest confidence and that the President despite being the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces is not involved in the procurement process.
“Even after approval is given, a contract will only be signed after the Attorney General has scrutinised it and given his legal opinion and through this whole process, the President has no role whatsoever,” Dr Mwansa said.
He said the President deals with matters of policy and strategy and procurement of equipment for the armed forces is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence.
He cautioned citizens to be wary of the excitement related to the approaching elections as people tend to say things even if they do not have the evidence to back their words.
Dr Mwansa also wondered why it took so long for Mr Mpombo to make these revelations. The allegations against the President were only made after Mr Mpombo was arrested on charges of non-retirement of imprest during his tenure as Minister of Defence.
Former Defence Minister George Mpombo has pleaded not guilty to three counts of theft by public servant, forgery and uttering false document in the Lusaka Magistrate court.
Mr. Mpombo has denied all the three charges leveled against him after taking plea before Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda Wednesday this morning.
Particulars of the offense are that between June and September 2008, the Kafulafuta parliamentarian being a public servant as Minister of Defence, did steal 18-Million Kwacha which came into his possession by virtue of employment.
In the second count, it is alleged that Mr. Mpombo, jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown, did forge a document.
The document in question was a Tax invoice number 6358, and receipts number 2846 and 4468, purporting to show that it was genuinely issued when in fact not.
The Kafulafuta MP is further alleged to have fraudulently uttered false documents namely two receipts, a tax invoice and retirement of special imprest forms to Winter Simwinji Mhlanga.
Mr. Mpombo is being represented by Lusaka Lawyer Wynter Kabimba.
And Magistrate Banda has set June 7 as the date for the possible commencement of trial in the matter.
Simataa Simataa has said he will defy the Faz disciplinary committees’ summon to appear to charges leveled against him together with faction leader Andrew Kamanga.
Simataa said today that as a member of the Kamanga faction he could not appear before the Faz disciplinary committee because he believed he would not receive a fair trial.
He also added that his safety could not also be guaranteed after he was accosted during his previous DC appearance in March.
Simataa and Kamanga have been charged with forming a parallel league following their creation of the National Football League on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Zanaco coach Wedson Nyirenda has also been summoned to appear before the FAZ DC following recent public complaints over the refereeing of Bernard Chabala.
Also expected to appear before the FAZ DC is Zanaco club committee member Stafford Kayame.
All cases have been deferred to next week after earlier being set for today, Wednesday.
UNDER-23 GOES INTO CAMP
The Zambia Under-23 national team goes into camp this Sunday to begin training for its 2012 Olympic Qualifier against Algeria on June 3 away in Algiers.
29 home-based players have been invited to a three-day camp weekly training camp in Lusaka before going into full residential a fortnight before the second round first leg match away to Algeria.
File: Vendors sell Tot packs and opaque beer by the roadside on Freedom Way
While stakeholders have continued to campaign against the Tujilijili (alcohol sachets), the opposition Patriotic Front is using the brand as a campaign tool.
MMD Lusaka Province Chairman William Banda has revealed that one of the tujilijili brands has a PF symbol.
Mr Banda says it is wrong for the firm producing the alcohol sachets to use the PF’s “Don’t Kubeba” slogan as its brand.
Mr. Banda told journalists at a media briefing that it is clear that the firm is supporting the opposition PF.
He explains that Zambia needs credible investors who do not align themselves with political parties.
Mr. Banda has urged the Zambia Development Agency to scrutinise investors who come into the country to set up businesses.
Government says it will do everything possible to ensure that surviving textile companies don’t collapse. Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati said since 2003 textiles industries have been facing numerous challenges, not only in Zambia but in the Africa region.
Mr. Mutati cited the allowing of materials from outside Africa as one of the reasons for collapsing of textiles industries. The Commerce Minister was speaking when he toured Kariba Textiles in
Livingstone today.
He said Government has come up with a statutory instrument which will compel the Government to buy from local industries so that jobs are preserved and local textile companies are expanded.
Mr. Mutati urged companies to take advantage of the AGOA forum to market their products which will be held in Lusaka in June.
And Kariba textile Managing Director Ali Desai has appealed to the Government through various departments like health to consider his company when it comes to procuring blankets. He also expressed concern over the heavy duty paid when buying materials.
The minister, who is in Livingstone to visit various industries, he is also expected to visit Fallsway timber later tomorrow.
The Livingstone City Council ( LCC ) mayor Aggrey Njekwa has taken to task the Southern Water sewerage company (SWASCO) for the delayed completion of over 500 Toilets in Libuyu compound in Livingstone.
Mr. Njekwa rebuked the water utility company for delaying the project which was scheduled to take about seven months to complete.
He said this when he addressed a number of concerned residents of Libuyu compound who stormed his office today to seek his intervention.
SWASCO for unexplained reasons has not met the deadline causing the affected residents in the areas to seek alternative areas for their toilet needs.
” The sanitation condition is in a deplorable state with pity latrines being full forcing the residents to dig extra shallow pity and scope the human waste using buckets into the pity, ” one of the residents, Edgar Mainza said.
Mr. Mainza added that the contractors have left the pits uncovered resulting in danger among the community especially children.
He has for this reason appealed to Livingstone City Council to intervene in the project ensure that it is completed so that the health of the community are protected.
But Southern Water and Sewerage Company (SWASCO) Regional senior manager Gift Monde said one the delay was due to the protest by the contractors’ workers over non payment of their salaries.
He said as SWASCO the was no way they should have interfered in the contractors’ affairs, but only advised the Contractor to resolve the issue so that they got back to work.
He further revealed that SWASCO has last written a warning letter to the contractor to speedup the work at the site and finish the project in time.
The project started in September 2009 and is being funded by Devolution Trust Fund and was suppose to be completed in seven
months time.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ)’s Disciplinary committee has today opened session to address the rift between the Kalusha Bwalya led Executive and the Andrew Kamanga faction exective.
FAZ Communications manager Erick Mwanza said the committee has however defered the session to next week.
Speaking to journalists at Football House in Lusaka , today, Mwanza said the resolution of the meeting will be announced soon on the official FAZ website www.fazfootball.com.
The Kamanga faction last weekend stormed out of the much anticipated FAZ annual general meeting at the Mulungushi Rock of Authority in Kabwe after the no confidence item was removed from the agenda.
The faction has since suggested formation of the National Football League (NFL ) which has not been well recieved by key stakeholders, like Kabwe Warriors F.C whose chairperson is Kamanga himself.
And on the Under 23 Olympic games Qualifiers, Mwanza said preparations are on course with Coach Msiska putting up 29 player squad.
Mwanza added that players will be in camp on the 8th May at the FAZ Technical Center in Lusaka.
He said the squad will be boosted by foreign players who will join camp at the close of the European season.
The FAZ Communications manager noted that preparations will be concentrated on the synthetic pitch at Independence Stadium in Lusaka as the Algiers leg will be played on similar turf.
Mwanza has also announced that Zesco United FC has left for a return league against Al Ahly F.C in the CAF Champions league at Cairo International Stadium in Egypt.
He said that FAZ general Secretary George Kasengele is head of delegation adding that the team has the capacity and all ingredients to win the crucial return match this Sunday in Egypt.
” Victory by Zesco United F.C will be good enough to enable them qualify to the group stage of Africa’s premier club championship, ” said Mwanza.
The Zambian champoins travel to Egypt charged up to conquer Al Ahly F.C who defeated them by a lone goal at home, a fortnight ago.
Zesco United tutor Fighton Simukonda says his team is determined to conquer its Egptian rival in this Sunday’s Orange Chapions League second round return leg.
Meanwhile, the MTN Super League week seven games are on 7th may with Nkwazi F.C facing resurgent Green Eagles F.C at Edwin Imboela stadium.
The 2009 FAZ/KCM Chapoins, Zanaco FC will host Nkana ‘ Kalampa ” Red Devils FC at Sunset Stadium, while sugar boys Nakambala Leopards FC will take on Lime Hotspurs at Nakambala Stadium.
Kabwe Warriors FC will host whipping boys Kalewa FC at Railways Stadium, while Nhanga Rangers will host Roan United FC at home. Forest Rangers taking on Red Arrows at Dora Hill Stadium and Power 90 Dynamos will host Green Buffaloes FC .
Government has with an immediate effect directed Resident Development Committees (RDC) in Solwezi town to stop collecting money from residents in the area purported to be for land survey and demarcation.
Northwestern Province Acting Permanent Secretary Fabian Mumba says the RDCs in Chawama, Kazomba and messengers compounds among others must stop collecting the K 300, 000 from people as land survey and demarcation fee with an immediate effect adding that if they continue they will be charged with theft.
He said his office will in the next 10 days put in place proper guidelines as to how the affected plots in Solwezi town will be surveyed and demarcated in compliance with the Presidential directive concerning the matter.
This comes following President Rupiah Banda’s directive to the Provincial Administration during his two day working visit to Solwezi District that all plots be formally surveyed and demarcated at no cost.
Northwestern Province Acting Permanent Secretary Fabian Mumba says the RDCs in Chawama, Kazomba and messengers compounds among other must stop collecting the K300, 000 from people as land survey and demarcation fee with an immediate effect adding that if they continue they will be charged with theft.
He said his office will in the next 10 days put in place proper guidelines as to how the affected plots in Solwezi town will be surveyed and demarcated in compliance with the Presidential directive concerning the matter.
Mr Mumba has since appealed to all members of the general public to repot any RDCs collecting money from them purported to be for land survey and demarcation to his office or the nearest police station for appropriate action to be taken against them
Last week during the launch of the newly contracted Solwezi Trades Training Institute, President Rupiah Banda directed Northwestern Province Provincial Administration to find surveyors to survey and demarcate plots in Solwezi town at no cost.
‘Allow the little children to come to Me, do not hinder them, for to such like these, belongs the Kingdom of Heaven.’ Jesus Christ. There is no doubt that children have a special place in the heart of God. Elsewhere in the Bible, the Apostle urges fathers not to ‘frustrate their children.’
Zambia, declared a ‘Christian nation’ should be at the forefront in protecting these vulnerable members of our society from all harm. Sometime ago, I wrote about the fundamental duties of the State and inter alia, is the protection of the vulnerable in society. I am amazed that the issue of consensual sex between people of the same gender rouses so much interest and anger from the great majority of Zambians, and yet when children, without their consent are abused, the horrible practice is met with silence among family members and the victim is left to nurse the trauma and scars for the rest of their lives all alone. Putting the ‘Christian nation’ tag aside, Zambia as a signatory to the Convention on the rights of the child, must protect the rights of children.
The question that must first be answered is ‘who is a child?’ It is well known that our modern idea of a child differs from that of our fore fathers who were ready to marry off their daughters as soon as they attained ‘chisungu.’ The UN convention defines a child as any person under the age of 18 years. There in lies the difficulty. Our cultural psyche on one hand treats even young male adults like children, by continuing to look after them in their parents’ or guardians’ homes while at the same time, allowing the females to be married off even as early as 13 years of age. Our problem is further compounded by the existence of State and Customary law simultaneously. I am not concerned here, however, with what is accepted culturally, but what is not.
There are however, thousands of people in Zambia who have been forced to have sex with adults or older children in their own homes. A child seeks love and attention, but there are people who take advantage of these children and force them in these indecent activities. Most of the time, the culprit is an older male relative and the victim a girl. I do not have any evidence of boys being molested sexually but I presume it does happen. The girl-child is most likely to be a victim when they have been orphaned. The orphaned may become sex slaves of the guardian in order to receive education. I have no statistical data to prove this but the few that I have come across have been molested by relatives and by fathers. What is most disconcerting is that in some situations the wife of the man knows about what is going on but elects to keep quiet.
Psychologists tell us that children who are exposed to forced sex at young age grow up to be promiscuous. Such girls also lose their self worth so that in adulthood, they either become manipulative, using their bodies to get what they want or become so untrusting that they cannot stay with one partner. The abused goes on to abuse others as well and the cycle goes on. Street prostitution is often blamed on the economy, but why is it that of the millions of poor people, it is just a proprtion of them who find selling their bodies a worthy source of income? The answer may lie in what happened ‘at home.’
Next is beating. This may sound controversial and there will be several Christians who will quote me the Bible here, but I will say it nonetheless. Beating a child is wrong. I am not talking about a smack on the bottom or back of the hand. Even if you use a ‘whip’ or a ‘belt’ or a ‘stick’, it takes only one stripe to cause pain. If it is pain you want the child to feel, why go on and an and on? You go on and on, because you are angry and you are essentially venting your anger on the child. That is not discipline it is fighting, it is not training, it is assault. So many of our children have even been maimed and grievously wounded because of this. I have had the misfortune of treating children in Zambian hospitals who have been brought with injuries that were obviously non-accidental. I have seen children with burns on their inner thighs branded by hot pressing irons, but the accompanying adults give a different story. Children who are not reasoned with as they grow up, will also learn to use brute force to get their way. Is there any wonder why we have street brawls, public place fights and even electoral violence? I can already sense that when this article is published, there will be a few who will fail to use any simile of civility but will vent their anger with unprintables. If I had been in their geography they would not hesitate to lay hands on me.
Then there is just neglect. So many Zambian children baby sit their siblings long before they have ceased to be children themselves. The malnutrition that infants suffer is not always due to lack of food but in some cases may be emotional. The parent or guardian fails to provide the care and attention that he child needs and abandons them to someone else from morn till eve. The child refuses to eat and as time goes by, he becomes malnourished. Others are given daily household chores that are way ahead for their age and for that reason, kept away from school altogether or if they do go to school, find themselves too tired to study after school. Thus, these children are locked up in the dark world of illiteracy and poverty.
Let me apply myself to the conscience of every Zambian. As a nation we have no space in our psyche for same sex unions which we condemn left, right and centre. Surely, is that so much of an evil that the gay people deserve to be punished by a custodial sentence or even death (as many in Uganda advocated?) Methinks, the sexual and physical abuse of children, children who did not chose to come into this world, did not choose the parents, did not choose their homes and CANNOT in any way legally, morally or ethically consent to what adults do to them, is a worse crime. I am surprised that though we have appended our national signature to the convention on the rights of children, we have no laws that really protect children or if we have, there seems to be no political will to enforce them. I would suggest that there be appointed a Commissioner for Children with powers equivalent to those of the Anti-corruption Commissioner to prosecute the culprits who are destroying these young lives for to such as these, belongs the future existence of our country.
