Journalists' beating by MMD cadres worries Speaker

Journalists' beating by MMD cadres worries Speaker
Written by Ernest Chanda and George Chellah
Friday, July 31, 2009 3:43:16

SPEAKER of the National Assembly Amusa Mwanamwambwa told the House on Thursday that the outside world has a perception that Zambia’s peace is at stake due to the conflict between journalists and cadres. And Transparency International-Zambia (TIZ) president Reuben Lifuka yesterday said the continued harassment of journalists was a source of shame.

Ruling on a point of order raised by Kabwata Patriotic Front member of parliament Given Lubinda who wanted to know if the Vice-President, the minister of Information and the minister of Home Affairs were in order to keep quiet when the harassment of journalists by MMD cadres was threatening peace in the country.

“Let me inform the House that this issue has been referred to in many fora. I have heard a lot of things as I interact, that the peace of this republic is under threat due to such conflicts. I personally will not rule over this matter. However I ask the Honourable minister of information to come and tell us what the conflict is between the media and cadres of a particular party,” Mwanamwambwa said in apparent reference to the continued harassment of journalists by MMD cadres.

“I have to inform you Honourable members from the Executive that I hear a lot of things. The information outside is that the republic is under threat because certain people have the monopoly to speak. So government must explain things whether the peace is under threat or there is a group of people who want to give a perception that peace is under threat. May the Honourable minister also explain the cause of this conflict between the media and cadres from a named political party,” he said as most MMD members of parliament shouted ya, ya, the cause, the cause!

Speaker Mwanamwabwa later asked Lt Gen Shikapwasha and other cabinet ministers to clarify more on the source of the conflict.

“I’m asking the Honourable minister of information and other cabinet ministers to come out and speak out to clarify this perception. With regard to this point of order raised by the Honourable member for Kabwata, let the Honourable minister of information speak to the nation at the earliest possible time, probably next week,” ruled Speaker Mwanamwambwa.

And Lifuka yesterday said the continued harassment of journalists was a source of shame.

"Transparency International Zambia calls on the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) to urgently deal with the growing spectacle of political hooliganism in their rank and file before this spirals into uncontrollable political violence. The continued harassment of the journalists is a source of shame and the fact that this has been going on for some time, speaks volumes about the levels of discipline in the ruling party," Lifuka said.

"The culture of intolerance which is being insidiously promoted by the lack of action of both the MMD leadership and the Zambia Police will sooner than later metamorphose into anarchy and the ruling party will have no one to blame but themselves."

He said the fear for most people was that the cadres have become brazen and feel insulated from prosecution.

"... and thus what will stop such cadres from following people into their homes and offices to harass or beat them? Are we seeing a return of the Vigilantes?" Lifuka asked. "Recently, we heard of similar harassment of people at Soweto Market by suspected MMD cadres- why is the leadership allowing these cadres to tarnish their image and reputation?"

He said Zambia's democracy should be one founded on respect for diversity and MMD as the ruling party should be promoting this.

"Let politics be a platform for competition of ideas - it is a pity that slowly our politics is becoming bereft of issues and high intellectual engagement. We are regressing in our multi-party democracy and it seems a show of brawn over brains is creeping into the country's politics. It is small wonder that most Zambians do not want to have anything to do with politics- it simply not inspiring," Lifuka said.

"We have said this before and we wish to reiterate that MMD cadres who engage in such cases of assault and violence should be arrested and prosecuted. It is sad that the Zambia Police Service including their command, are reducing themselves to innocent bystanders when it is their duty to maintain law and order.

"It is morally not correct for any person to ignore the harassment and bullying of a fellow citizen, but it is negation of duty for a Police Officer to ignore calls for help from a person being assaulted. Such a Police Officer does not deserve his position and should accordingly resign from the Police Service."

He said both MMD cadres and ordinary Zambians need the protection of the Zambia Police Service.

"It is our taxes which are used to pay these Police Officers. For all you know, some of these cadres are loafers who do not even pay any taxes and yet they are the ones receiving favourable attention. Enough is enough and we want to warn the MMD that they will not be able to contain the spiral of violence if they fail to rein in their unruly cadres," he said.

He warned that violence begets violence.

"All that our founding fathers worked for in forging a nation of peaceful people- can easily go up in smoke all because we have cadres who are power drunk. In a similar vein, we want to use this opportunity to urge all political parties in Zambia to promote peace in their actions and language. Zambia is bigger than all the political players and nothing should be taken for granted," Lifuka said.

"The media needs to be respected for the role that they are playing in this country. Political cadres should not over-estimate themselves and imagine that they can set the agenda for the various media houses. Journalists are professionals who should be given the necessary space to do their work without any harassment."

Meanwhile, Speaker Mwanamwambwa urged the minister of communications and transport to update the House on Zamtel.

This was after Chipili PF member of parliament Davis Mwila raised a point of order.

"He has raised a point of order on a matter that has been alive to this House not one, not once but all times. What is important is for the Honourable minister of communications and transport to update the House on what is going on with regard to the status and future of Zamtel," Mwanamwambwa said.

"The newspaper that the member of parliament has quoted from referred to an intention to privatize the company. Even if that is the intention this House needs to be updated. If what is being discussed now is an intention at some point there will be a stage when a prospective partner will be found.

"The Honourable minister does not require several days on this matter. There is a lot of debate going on outside and I encourage this House not to participate in this debate, this is the forum. Let visitors or strangers join in this debate."