Maravi

MMD ‘militia’ at State House

MMD ‘militia’ at State House
Written by Editor

It is clear that the harassment of journalists that we are witnessing in this country is not a mere accident by some overzealous MMD cadres. This is a well-planned and organised strategy by the MMD government to intimidate journalists in this country.

Their determination is to make sure that they harass journalists so that the next time they want to expose scandals of their leaders, they will have to think twice. We have every reason to believe or conclude that the violence that is being perpetrated towards our reporters and other journalists in this country is condoned at the highest level of the government in this country.

From the impunity of the MMD cadres, it is clear that the violence we are witnessing in this country has been given a seal of endorsement from the MMD leadership. We have not forgotten the State House rally where President Rupiah Banda addressed MMD cadres and vowed to sort out his opponents.

Rupiah has not bothered to talk against the violence that has been brought to his attention. We have even appealed to him to cage his cadres to no avail. And just recently, the Reverend Ronnie Shikapwasha justified the attacking of Post reporters. And as if the attacks were not enough, he even went further to ask us to apologise to Rupiah and that only then would the attacks come to an end.

With all the security at State House, it is shocking to see how MMD cadres yesterday could take over security to decide who goes in and who is not allowed to go into State House. All this happened in broad daylight and in full view of state security. The state security paid a blind eye to this MMD force as it harassed journalists. This MMD militia does not seem to understand the word State House; if they did they would have known that their actions have no place at such a place.

The threats to beat up Post journalists and the roughing up of Radio Phoenix reporter Pennifer Sikainda on her way into State House yesterday during the Africa Freedom Day celebrations is a clear signal of how daring this MMD group is becoming. When did security control become the responsibility of MMD cadres at State House? Instead of protecting citizens and indeed journalists, our state security decided to give this MMD security group a safe haven where they could operate with impunity. These people are known, but it seems in this country if you are Rupiah’s supporter, you can commit any crime and still get away with it. It is a pity the MMD cadres chose such a day to once again display the only thing they know - violence.

The harassment of journalists at State House yesterday does not surprise us because of the behaviour that Rupiah exhibited when he addressed MMD cadres at State House. The cadres are very comfortable to commit crimes on State House ground because after all, that is where their commander in chief seemingly gave them a go-ahead. Rupiah’s behaviour during his meeting with the cadres did not seem normal. It is clear from the tone of Rupiah’s language that Rupiah wanted something done to Post journalists. And it seems MMD cadres, in their pursuit to achieve their goal, are now going round harassing any journalist they think is from The Post or is from any media institution that they think is not showering praise on Rupiah and his government.

The cadres say they are not happy with what The Post is reporting about. However, these cadres do not seem to remind themselves that it is not The Post that was involved in the GMO maize scandal, the maize which the Zambian people would have unknowingly been fed on. They also forget that it is not The Post that committed taxpayer’s money to the tune of US$2 million in the RP Capital/Zamtel deal.

Instead of fomenting violence against innocent journalists, we urge the MMD leaders to call for an end to this violence. We urge the MMD leadership to call for moderation in their cadres who are getting out of hand. It is said that violence begets violence and that those who live by violence will die by it.

We would like to remind the MMD leadership that they might one day find themselves fighting another organised group of cadres. We would like to remind the MMD leadership and especially those encouraging the violence that they will one day have their day. They will have a day when the people they are commanding to commit violence will be testifying against them. They will have their day, when they will deny their involvement in violence by arguing that they were not at the scene of the crime.

We would like to remind them that international law has evolved. Impunity no longer has a place in international law. They will be made to answer for the violence of their followers. While they may get the protection of the state police, they may not get such protection in international law. International law will be used on their state police to make sure the law takes its course.

Remember Jean-Paul Akayesu, a mayor of one of the communities in Rwanda who was convicted of genocide and war crimes against humanity and was sentenced to life imprisonment. The perpetrators of the violence in the MMD may argue that theirs is not genocide hence not serious. But they should realise that if you rule by violence, violence will also follow you.

Akayesu was accused of rape, which he did not commit himself but did so by encouraging, in his capacity as mayor, others to commit it. There is enough case law that can be cited to show that Rupiah and Shikapwasha have actually crossed the line.

We would like to remind Rupiah and Shikapwasha that beating our reporters will not stop us from exposing corruption. Though their actions make the gathering of news difficult, we shall continue to serve our people without fear.

Labels: CADRES, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE

posted by MrK @ 1:20 PM