Maravi

Fr Mpasa challenges Rupiah over MMD militia

Fr Mpasa challenges Rupiah over MMD militia
By Ernest Chanda
Tue 05 Oct. 2010, 04:01 CAT

MANSA Catholic diocese vicar-general Father Mambwe Mpasa has challenged President Rupiah Banda and the entire MMD leadership to tell the nation if they are behind the party's Copperbelt crack squad threatening violence on Mongu diocese Bishop Paul Duffy.

In an interview, Fr Mpasa contended that President Banda's silence on the matter implied that he supported the threats. Fr Mpasa wondered if President Banda was right by keeping quiet when his own party had formed a militia that was promoting anarchy.

"In Bemba we say Mumbwe ukulila ninshi pali uko ashintilile (). Can President Banda come out in the open and tell us why he and the entire MMD leadership are quiet when their own cadres are threatening violence on a humble servant of God?" Fr Mpasa challenged.

"We take it that their silence implies that they agree with their cadres. Why have they allowed that boy Chiko Chibale to be holding innocent citizens to ransom? And the same boy says he is not ready to apologise for the threats. Then it means President Banda and his men are fully in support of those threats."

Fr Mpasa questioned the legal backing of the MMD crack squad when Zambia had enough security wings. He condemned the open promotion of violence in a nation that subscribes to democratic tenets.

“Let them eat their buttered bread with honour and integrity. Sooner than later they will appreciate the prophetic voice from Bishop Duffy. Umweo waba mu kutwi (there is life in listening). Stubborness, arrogance and greed will not take them anywhere. As for our brother Chibale who has refused to apologise, let him know that Bishop Duffy is too high an authority to demand an apology from a nonentity like him," said Fr Mpasa.

Labels: CADRES, MAMBWE MPASA, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE

posted by MrK @ 12:17 PM