Attempts to transform NGOs into cadres will be resisted – AVAP

Attempts to transform NGOs into cadres will be resisted – AVAP
By Mwala Kalaluka
Sat 13 Mar. 2010, 19:40 CAT

ANTI-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) executive director Bonnie Tembo has vowed that attempts by the state to transform NGOs into cadres ahead of next year’s election will be resisted.

And Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) president Reuben Lifuka said it is surprising that government leaders speak so confidently with authority on the work that civil society organisations do when they hardly conducted familiarisation tours to these institutions.

Expressing AVAP’s solidarity with SACCORD, Tembo said he was aware that his organisation was becoming unpopular in the eyes of the state because it somehow believes that it needed to cadrelise NGOs.

“As AVAP we refuse to be cadrelised,” Tembo said.

Tembo said it was clear that for those who are in the corridors of power, the panicking had started ahead of the elections.

“When you read, you are able to tell which direction,” Tembo said. “Look at the NGO world; there are those who say ‘we are neutral and we are supporting the government’. I want to say that what is happening now is centered on the political indicators of the 2011 elections.”

Tembo said in case the country was not aware, the 2011 elections would be held in September.

“September next year, we will go to the polls, so we don’t want to be messed up by this cheap political campaign, which has started prematurely,” Tembo said.

Tembo said former PF secretary general Charles Chimumbwa should find other ways of asking for a job from the MMD instead of insinuating that some NGOs were being financed and controlled by the Roman Catholic Church to attack the government.

“It is wrong because Chalesi Chimumbwa does not have evidence for that. Personally, I do not know Fr (Bishop) Mpundu. How can he say TIZ, SACCORD and Change Life Zambia are being funded by the Catholic Church?” he asked.

“SACCORD, do not get worried, do not get bothered. We are with you. The struggle continues. Aluta Continua. We will assure that we will stand by your side.”

Tembo said he was happy that SACCORD was getting back to its initial status.
“We are not going to sleep. We are going to fight on,” said Tembo.

And Lifuka said civil society organisations should not exist as an arm of charity to the government.

He said the action that the government was taking against SACCORD was indicative of a government that was desperate to hold on to power.

“We should not suffer for their insecurity,” Lifuka said. “The fact that government seems to be so insecure for whatever reason should not be transmitted to the civil society.

The third sector should not be wished away. What is interesting is that government has its own civil society.”

Lifuka said probably the government wanted all civil society organisations to start singing praises to it.

“But we want to assure them that we are not in the business of entertainment,” he said. “All of us are more than prepared to account for the work that we do.”