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Panji has the right to speak out - Kabimba

Panji has the right to speak out - Kabimba
By Moses Kuwema in Lusaka and Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Mon 10 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT

COLONEL Panji Kaunda has every right to speak out on the affairs of this country, says PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba.

Reacting to President Rupiah Banda's statement that nothing gave Col Panji the right to express concern about violence in the nation, Kabimba said Panji, as a citizen of Zambia, would be affected by the violence that may break out.

“It is unfortunate for the President to be questioning individuals who want to express themselves over issues affecting them. Panji has the right to speak out on the affairs of this nation, especially violence because it affects him,” Kabimba said in an interview on Saturday.

“He does not have to be a minister in government to speak out because if war was to break out, he will have to seek refuge in the neighbouring countries.”

Kabimba said he expected President Banda to put in place measures that would allay the fears that people like Col Panji had.

“We have seen violence taking place and perpetuated by the MMD and William Banda. We expect President Banda to come out categorically and give a categorical stance on violence as head of the party where William Banda belongs, instead of directing journalists to William,” Kabimba said.

And former Kitwe mayor Luxon Kazabu said there was nothing wrong with Col Panji’s timely caution that this year’s elections would be the bloodiest if the government did not put in place measures to stop violence.

Kazabu wondered what was wrong with giving people a timely caution.

“For me, if a citizen gives a timely caution, I do not see anything sinister. The Colonel was in order to give that caution because he was not advocating violence but he was simply saying that if measures to stop violence are not put in place, then it may occur,” Kazabu said.

“The problem in this country is that that which is abnormal becomes normal and that which is normal becomes abnormal. When people mean well, they are condemned but wrongdoers are celebrated. Col Panji’s condemnation is totally misplaced.”

Kazabu wondered why people wanted to twist Col Panji’s statement by suggesting that he was orchestrating violence, when in fact he was giving caution.

“Some of us do not want to see a repeat of the violence we have witnessed in some by-elections. When it comes to violence, we are timid; all we want is to exchange arguments on an issue and not injuring another person,” he added.

Kazabu said Zambia needed a few more people like Col Panji who could alert the nation on what they thought could be the likelihood of something if certain things were not put in place.

On Friday shortly before he left for Chipata, President Banda said nothing gave Col Panji the right to express concern about violence in the nation.

Kazabu also described the retirement of Andrew Sakala from Times of Zambia as politically motivated.

He observed that the government was trying to use divide-and-rule tactics on Zambian journalists, adding that it was imperative for the latter to unite and remain steadfast.

He said the country would suffer if the government managed to manipulate the media.
Kazabu also advised journalists to work professionally and not be compromised.

Labels: PANJI KAUNDA, WYNTER KABIMBA

posted by MrK @ 7:00 AM