Maravi

Political atmosphere is full of intolerance - Bishop Kamukwamba

Political atmosphere is full of intolerance - Bishop Kamukwamba
By Abigail Chaponda in Ndola
Mon 14 June 2010, 03:30 CAT

ANGLICAN Diocese of central Zambia Bishop Derek Kamukwamba has observed that the political atmosphere in the country is that of intolerance and correction and criticism is in most cases seen as attack on the leadership.

During centenary celebrations of the Anglican Church in Zambia at the Cathedral of Holy Nativity in Ndola on Saturday, Bishop Kamukwamba said political players in Zambia needed to change their attitude and stop politics of manipulation.

Bishop Kamukwamba said politicians should start practicing mature politics of mutual understanding and respect for one another.

“To which party we belong, let us remember that we all belong to the same and only one household, Zambia. We are Zambians first and foremost, there is no one more Zambian than the other, there is no one who owns Zambia. Zambia is Zambia for all Zambians regardless of one’s political or religious affiliation,” he said.

“It is not always that we should hold rallies and talk about other parties or persons. As ordinary party members, let us not be manipulated and used by those in authority of our parties to cause anarchy. Let us make our own independent judgment in all political matters.”

He observed that there was a growing tendency by some political parties to mobilise youths to cause violence in the country.

“Let us correct and appreciate one another and those at the receiving end, let us be open to corrections, criticisms, and also appreciate those correcting or criticizing,” he said.

Bishop Kamukwamba also said the police should be seen to be doing their work on a non-partisan basis.

“There is a growing tendency where we are seeing some politicians mobilising youths to go and protect their leaders, and the outcome of such protection is violence. We saw in Chitambo, Mufumbwe and the visitation of the second president Frederick Chiluba to Luapula.

Have the police been substituted by political hooligans? Why do people get police permits? I thought it was for police protection. This is fertile ground for violence,” he said.

Bishop Kamukwamba also observed that in Zambia retirement was more or less like a prison sentence slapped on someone for serving the nation faithfully.

He said people die of depression after retirement. He said it was sad that retirees had to wait indefinitely for their terminal benefits and yet the people who were supposed to serve them complicated things for them to give away part of their hard earned benefits in bribes.

“We need as a nation to respect our senior citizens be it politicians or any person who have dedicated their energy in serving the nation,” Bishop Kamukwamba said.

And Copperbelt minister Mwansa Mbulakulima said as shepherds of the people, the Anglican clergy had a divine obligation to comment on issues of national importance.

He said the prophetic voice of the church intended to encourage the government to perform better although this had caused some uneasiness in the state-church relations.

Mbulakulima promised that the government would listen to the church, saying this form of constructive engagement was healthy for the development of the nation.

Labels: CADRES, DEREK KAMUKWAMBA, MWANSA MBULAKULIMA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, POLITICS

posted by MrK @ 11:52 AM