Maravi

There is no need to block demos, says Yangailo

There is no need to block demos, says Yangailo
Written by Ernest Chanda in Lusaka and Isaac Zulu in Kapiri Mposhi
Sunday, December 14, 2008 10:05:56 AM

THERE is no need for the government to block peaceful demonstrations against high mealie- meal prices, Human Rights Commission (HRC) chairperson Pixie Yangailo has said.

And Kapiri Mposhi Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic parish priest, Fr John Lesa has supported the planned demonstrations over high mealie-meal prices, saying this was a wake-up call for the ruling MMD.

In an interview, Yangailo said as long as the demonstrations were done peacefully and within the law, there was no need for the government to stop the people as doing so would be an infringement on their rights.

Yangailo further indicated that the Commission had planned a meeting with the government and the Police to give guidance on opposition Patriotic Front (PF)’s planned protests against high mealie-meal prices.

She said it was important that the Commission sought audience with relevant authorities.

“Although we have not received an official complaint from the people planning to demonstrate, we have read and seen in the media that government intends to block these demonstrations,” Yangailo said. “As a Commission, we want to be aware of the reasons people are being stopped from demonstrating and advise government accordingly. Since it is our mandate to inform people on their rights, we need to fully understand why the opposition are being stopped from demonstrating. Constitutionally, people have a right to demonstrate, but it is good to work with all quarters of society for security reasons. We could have investigated the moment we read and heard about this, but our investigations department is seriously understaffed.”

Last week, defence minister George Mpombo said he would meet the demonstrators with full force if they went ahead with the demonstrations.

This was in response to an announcement from the Patriotic Front that they were organising demonstrations against high mealie-meal prices.

And in an interview, Fr Lesa said the planned demonstrations by the PF in view of the rising prices of mealie-meal and other essential commodities in the country were justified.

Fr Lesa observed that demonstrating was a constitutional right as it bordered on freedom of expression, adding that all the poor people wanted was to be heard by the government.

“Staging a demonstration is a constitutional right; it is freedom of expression, especially that the they intend to hold peaceful protests,” said Fr Lesa. “It is a wake-up call for the government of the day; the poor just want to be heard.”

He explained that mealie meal was Zambia’s staple food for a majority of citizens, adding that the escalating price of the commodity was of great concern to the people.

“I wonder if those ministers even mind about the high prices of mealie-meal because most of them do not entirely depend on this staple food, anyway,” he stated.

He attributed the increase in mealie-meal prices to lack of government control in the milling industry resulting from the privatisation of most parastatal companies.

“There is no government hand in the milling industry and the obvious cause is privatisation,” Fr Lesa said. “Though privatisation was necessary, it was rushed. Everything is now in private hands; government is dealing with businessmen and it is all a capitalist way of thinking.”

He advised that the government should learn to plan ahead before implementing some of its policies.

Fr Lesa cited the period between 1997 and 1998 when the country experienced floods and drought, but the government continued to export maize despite the negative factors.

He further accused the MMD government of laxity, saying what was needed was change.

“Koswe nga aikala sana mung’anda, eba na kasuba [When a rat overstays in a house, it will start stealing even in during day time],” said Fr Lesa.

Labels: DEMONSTRATION, HRC, PIXIE YANGAILO

posted by MrK @ 10:05 AM