Maravi

MMD is practising double standards, says Harrington

MMD is practising double standards, says Harrington
Written by Masuzyo Chakwe
Sunday, April 05, 2009 7:44:56 PM

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) central committee member William Harrington has accused the MMD government of practising double standards over the harassment of people by MMD cadres.

Commenting on MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba's statement on local government deputy minister Chrispine Musosha's harassment by MMD cadres at the Lusaka International Airport last Sunday that it was unacceptable and that the party would not protect its members involved in violent activities, Harrington (right) said when he was threatened at the High Court, both chief government spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha and Kalumba were conspicuously silent over the matter.

He said even though President Rupiah Banda had appealed for calm when the incident occurred, he just told the cadres to refrain from harassing people even when provoked.

Harrington urged the duo to come out very clearly over the harassment because both the party and the MMD government remained silent when the incident occurred.

He said his ordeal should have been condemned since he served honestly and diligently in the MMD government for a longer time than Musosha and at a more senior level.

'I deserve some level of respect so Dr Kalumba and Shikapwasha should come up and openly tell the nation why there is application of double standards, especially when the remarks against me were racial overtones. It's a violation of the spirit of the constitution, I expected the party and the government to condemn the cadres," said Harrington.

Kalumba on Thursday condemned the harassment on Musosha by MMD cadres at the Lusaka International Airport on Sunday over his opposition to the politicising of the New Soweto Market in Lusaka.

Kalumba said violence at whatever level was not the way to resolve differences in a civilised way.

Harrington was last month threatened with violence at the High Court over his action to request the setting up of a tribunal to investigate alleged abuse of office and corruption involving transport and communication minister Dora Siliya.

Labels: CADRES, MMD, WILLIAM HARRINGTON

posted by MrK @ 6:45 PM