Govt’s intolerance is creating tension, says UCZ’s Rev Siwila

Govt’s intolerance is creating tension, says UCZ’s Rev Siwila
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Mon 29 Mar. 2010, 04:00 CAT

KITWE’S United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Kwacha East Congregation Reverend Teddy Siwila has said the government’s insensitivity, intolerance and failure to embrace criticism on matters of governance is provoking people and creating unnecessary political tension.

And Rev Siwila has challenged the MMD government and opposition political parties to refrain from harassing people who hold divergent views and respect the country’s democratic and political dispensation.

In an interview in Kitwe, Rev Siwila said the style of leadership of President Rupiah Banda’s administration was worrying and provoking the minds of the right thinking members of the public because of its failure to listen to the voice of the people over matters of national interest such as the constitution-making process, the fight against corruption, unemployment and the escalating poverty levels.

Rev Siwila said it would be difficult for the country to attain meaningful development and enjoy the fruits of being in a democratic state if government continued to lend a deaf ear to various stakeholders and the general citizenry over matters that affect them.

He said it was unfortunate that politics of insults had become the order of the day and people holding government power had diverted attention from real issues to mere politicking.

“It would be difficult to end this tension we are seeing in the political arena because those in the corridors of power are not listening to what the people are saying. This country needs leaders who are going to embrace criticism, tolerance and uphold the values of being in a democracy. We need to see maturity in the conduct of our leaders and not this childishness we are seeing, that’s why people are angry,” Rev Siwila said.

He said the general citizenry would only give respect to President Banda and his government if it stopped concentrating much on consolidating political power but address issues that affect the poor people.

He said that fostering good governance was not about having political power but touching poor people’s lives through service delivery. He said it was saddening to note that church leaders and various prominent individuals who speak out on issues that affect the people were being maliciously attacked.

“The current national leaders should begin to understand that criticism builds a nation because it exposes the weaknesses of a particular leadership thereby providing checks and balances that must prompt leaders to take action,” said Rev Siwila. “That’s how it’s done in developed countries and that’s how these countries have attained meaningful development because they embrace the views of everybody and they respect the opinion of every concerned citizen.”