Maravi

Magande condemns cadres’ violence against journalists

Magande condemns cadres’ violence against journalists
Written by George Chellah
Sunday, August 16, 2009 4:06:15 PM

CHILANGA MMD member of parliament Ng’andu Magande on Friday told parliament that the recent incidents of violence in the country are painting a bad picture. And Chongwe MMD member of parliament Sylvia Masebo urged members of parliament to reflect on the death of president Levy Mwanawasa and the principles he stood for such as zero tolerance against corruption.

Magande, who is also former finance minister, expressed displeasure with the recent violence on journalists by MMD cadres.

“I think we have had a period where there is rising intolerance to one another. First it sounded like it was a small thing. We saw journalists being targeted by party cadres…To get to each other and start fighting, that’s a dangerous trend,” Magande said.



Magande advised leaders to urge their followers not to engage in violence.

“It’s painting a bad picture; what we saw today in Chitambo,” said Magande in an apparent reference to pictures of deputy minister in the Vice-President’s Office Gaston Sichilima, who was captured fighting with a UNIP cadre. “We have seen problems at the international airport, we have see problems on the Copperbelt.”

And Roan PF member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili advised information minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha not to defend wrongs.

“It does not pay for people to always be defensive. Uwima nomwele afwa nomwele (he who rises with a knife dies with a knife)... defending the wrongs at the present moment… one day it will be you,” Kambwili said. “…The minister must rethink his stance. He must not attack the innocent Catholics.”

Kambwili also wondered how the ruling MMD expected the opposition PF and UPND to cooperate with the new Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) commissioner Minerva Tembo whom they refused to be ratified.

“On the Electoral Commission of Zambia, there was a division on the ratification of the nominee. Government ministers must not use the arrogance of numbers on sensitive matters,” he said.

On Thursday, PF and UPND members of parliament rejected the nomination of Tembo as ECZ commissioner.

And Masebo urged members of parliament to reflect on the death of president Mwanawasa.

“Let us reflect on the principles that he stood for, principles of hard work, principles of zero tolerance against corruption. I hope that members of parliament would reflect,” said Masebo.

Labels: JOURNALISM, MAGANDE, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, SYLVIA MASEBO

posted by MrK @ 3:07 PM