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Scrutinise Rupiah ahead of polls - Rev Matale

Scrutinise Rupiah ahead of polls - Rev Matale
By George Zulu
Mon 03 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT

ZAMBIANS must seriously scrutinise President Rupiah Banda’s leadership as the nation goes for elections because of rampant corruption and poverty, according to Reverend Suzanne Matale.

Rev Matale, the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) secretary general, said 2011 would be critical for the country because of the general elections. She said people should analyse and scrutinise President Banda’s leadership and that of other political players.

“It is the year the destiny of the nation will be decided upon. Therefore, every Zambian must keep their eyes and ears open and scrutinise our political leaders. We need to scrutinise the leadership and those who are aspiring to be leaders of this country,” Rev Matale said in an interview. “People should not only make emotional decisions but make decisions that are going to help this nation.”

She urged Zambians to stand firm and speak with one voice of restoring the lost glory and dignity through participating in the electoral process of the nation.

“We are all speaking the same language as Zambians, that is for development. We are thinking of how we can improve now. We are talking about restoring the dignity of the people and the nation at large not for some but for the majority. Therefore, it is important for us to make decisions on the kind of leadership we want to take the nation forward,” she said.

Rev Matale observed that corruption subjected Zambians to poverty.

“Of course, you know that we are still dealing with issues of corruption in this nation. Corruption is really rampant and it is at all levels. How are we going to show our leaders that there is this scourge? People are talking about economic development, are talking about putting food in people’s houses for our children who are dying of hunger and other things. So 2011 is not for playing but for serious and critical decisions,” she said.

Rev Matale urged political parties to denounce political violence at all levels of society as the nation prepared for this year’s general elections.

“All of us who are involved in national issues at this level will de-campaign any political party that will be found fuelling violence within the party or against another party. We shall watch out for those and we shall not vote the party that is fuelling violence against its people or any political violence,” Rev Matale said.

Rev Matale said 2011 was an opportunity for Zambians to put in place a visionary leader who would take the country to higher heights.

Labels: RUPIAH BANDA, SUZANNE MATALE

posted by MrK @ 11:05 PM