Maravi

Zambia in a mess - Fr Bwalya

Zambia in a mess - Fr Bwalya
By Mwila Chansa in Kalulushi
Mon 15 Nov. 2010, 03:59 CAT

FR Frank Bwalya has charged that President Rupiah Banda has put Zambia in a mess. And a Chingola-based pastor, Justin Chilufya, has observed that fear will not bring the change that people want. Speaking at a meeting in Kalulushi, Fr Bwalya, who is Change Life Zambia (CLZ) executive director, cited a number of shortcomings to justify his statement.

As Fr Bwalya spoke about President Banda’s failures, people in the audience flashed red cards. Fr Bwalya then told the people that he had a song to teach them.

“Nganalanda ati 'Rupiah', imwe kwasuka ati 'atubika mundoti', elo nganalanda ati 'mwebamuvotele', imwe kwasuka ati 'mwatuletelela' When I say 'Rupiah', you should say 'he has messed us up'. When I say those who voted for him, you should respond: 'you have put us in problems',” Fr Bwalya said as people chanted the slogan.

He said it was wrong for President Banda’s government to have sold Zamtel when the problems at the parastatal arose from the huge debt that the government owed.

Fr Bwalya said the government had not even bothered to disclose the findings of Zamtel’s valuation to the public.

He said the new investors at Zamtel did not want to employ a lot of people, and more Zambians, especially those that studied telecommunications, would now find it harder to get jobs.

Fr Bwalya said the inability by many people to find jobs would entail more poverty, hunger and unemployment. He said poverty, unemployment and hunger had led many youths into vices such as prostitution and stealing.

Fr Bwalya said President Banda and his supporters had removed the abuse of authority clause from the ACC Act because they did not want to be pursued after leaving office.

He urged people to deliver change next year, saying they did not pay taxes for others to steal and enjoy the country’s resources alone.

Fr Bwalya said it was sad that despite having abundant water, some parts of the country lacked the commodity.

He said chiefs in areas such as Lufwanyama were not benefitting from the rich minerals because investors just bribed politicians and never paid any royalties to traditional leaders.

Fr Bwalya added that Zambia was in the dark ages because it had reached the climax of ‘useless’ leadership.

Fr Bwalya encouraged Kalulushi residents to register as voters and ensure that they deliver change next year.

And pastor Chilufya said there was a cause for the clergy to speak against the ills in the country.

Pastor Chilufya said Zambians needed to speak out against selective justice because some people were easily victimised by police while known thieves were walking the streets.

Labels: FRANK BWALYA, JUSTIN CHILUFYA, PRIVATISATION, RED CARD CAMPAIGN, ZAMTEL

posted by MrK @ 4:05 AM