Honking doesn’t worry govt, says Mangani

Honking doesn’t worry govt, says Mangani
Written by George Chellah
Monday, October 05, 2009 8:46:08 PM

HOME affairs minister Lameck Mangani yesterday maintained that the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have received too much money from donors. Addressing journalists at Lusaka International Airport, Mangani, who was responding to a question on the statement from the CSOs that they would intensify the honking and whistling, said the government was not worried.

“We are yet to see that but I can guarantee you we will respond to whatever they are talking about. So we are not worried whether they are many or whatever number. It will help us, the police will be assisted,” Mangani said.

“They [CSOs] have too much money which they could have got from their cooperating partners. So some of this money the police will be charging them, it will help me to clear the cells. So that's a good thing, let's see what happens on Friday.”

Mangani denied that he was issuing directives to the police.

“The police are merely doing their work, honking is an offence. It's considered under the public nuisance. So anybody who is creating problems for the public has to be arrested. I did indicate that anybody, as you know, uses the road, the road is not just only for politicians,” Mangani said. “The road is for anybody including visitors that come here so anybody that is going to disturb the peace of these people that are using the road has to be arrested and there is no abuse of any kind. It's just that the police are doing their work.”

On Saturday, a consortium of 18 CSOs vowed to continue with honking and whistling against Chiluba's acquittal despite the arrests of some citizens that took part in the exercise last Friday.

In a statement on behalf of the CSOs, Caritas Zambia executive director Sam Mulafulafu dared the police to be on streets from 17:00 hours until the following morning as the honking and whistling strategy would be intensified in the few weeks to come.

He announced that the strategy had been extended.

“We wish to notify the public that the Consortium has extended its honking and whistling strategy on every Friday from 17 hours to 24 hours anywhere in the country and we invite the Police command and the entire Service to be on the street from 17 hours till the following morning as the honking will be more spirited in the few weeks to come,” Mulafulafu stated. “We encourage the Police to create more bed-space or cells at various stations around the country as they should expect more innocent clients to be arrested if they don't stop with these malicious, arbitrary and illegal arrests. The more police presence on the streets and the more sirens there will be, the better because the sirens will contribute to the intended honking. We expect the police to ensure that the honking and whistling is conducted in a lawful and peaceful environment and without intimidation.

“We would like to advise Hon. Shikapwasha and Hon Mangani to desist from making unsubstantiated attacks on diplomats who are not part of this national cause. We would advise Hon Shikapwasha not to misdirect his energies on non-issues such of challenging civil society to forming a political party. We remain committed to promoting One land, One Nation and One Law is our Cry for all citizens.”

And President Rupiah Banda yesterday returned home from Cuba after his three-day state visit to that country.

The President who was accompanied by first lady Thandiwe arrived around 10:00 hours.

Upon arrival, President Banda was whisked away to greet the ministers, deputy ministers, government officials and MMD cadres.

Efforts to have the President address journalists were thwarted by security personnel and State House officials who kept pushing away reporters that attempted to ask him questions.

Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Bob Samakai was heard telling a Muvi TV reporter that the President would call for a briefing at State House after he had been fully briefed.

Before going to Cuba, President Banda attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York and the Second Summit of Africa and South America in Margarita, Venezuela.