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Politicians have embraced intolerance - Fr Samasumo

Politicians have embraced intolerance - Fr Samasumo
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Tue 04 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT

THE new political culture in Zambia seems to embrace intolerance, hooliganism and violence as an accepted norm, says Fr Paul Samasumo.

Fr Samasumo, the Zambia Episcopal Conference spokesperson, said the political activity in Zambia still remained in the hands of a few while the majority were pre-occupied with the day-to-day struggle for survival during the year.

He said more worrying however was a growing climate of political intolerance.

Fr Samasumo said Zambia’s reputation of being an oasis of peace was slowly being eroded rapidly by the sad political culture that had cropped up.

“The new political culture seems to embrace intolerance, hooliganism and violence as an accepted norm. Party cadres are clearly out of control. The trend is being encouraged by political leaders when they fail to speak clearly against this tendency,” Fr Samasumo said.

“All efforts must be made to reverse this trend. Those who perpetuate violence whether verbal or actual should be prosecuted and later disciplined by their political party.”

Fr Samasumo said the year 2010 saw the making of a Republican constitution elude Zambians yet again.

He said the Catholic Church’s understanding of the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) was that it was expected to follow the path outlined by the Mung’omba Constitution Review Commission (CRC) at the explicit request of then Republican president Levy Mwanawasa when he appointed the CRC in 2003.

He said when giving terms of reference to the Mung’omba commissioners, the government categorically and clearly indicated that it wanted to put in place a “constitution to stand the test of time.”

“In other words, the citizens of Zambia didn’t want any more of the constant re-writing of constitutions that were either weak or distorted. As we stand today, at the end of 2010, a Republican constitution that is agreed upon by everybody continues to elude us,” Fr Samasumo said.

He said the government had a pivotal role in assuring and creating a more conducive climate in the nation that would ensure that the electoral process, next year, is credible, free and fair.

Fr Samasumo said as a church, their role in elections was to pray for peace and educate and encourage people to celebrate their democracy by registering as voters and voting for candidates of their choice.

He said the Catholic Church was sympathetic to the democratic system of governance because of its promotion of wide participation by citizens in governance and promotion of human dignity.

“Central to a good democratic system is a good electoral process,” said Fr Samasumo.

Labels: NCC, PAUL SAMASUMO, POLITICAL VIOLENCE

posted by MrK @ 9:07 AM