Take blame for violence, Tilyenji tells MMD, govt

Take blame for violence, Tilyenji tells MMD, govt
By Ernest Chanda
Fri 07 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT

MMD should blame itself for failing to control violence instead of attacking those who express concern over the matter, says UNIP president Tilyenji Kaunda. Responding to MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya's statement that violence ended with the UNIP era, Tilyenji said the MMD leadership should put things in order to promote peace.

“When man fell from the Grace of God, man became violent. So, violence is part of us if we don't handle ourselves correctly. If people are cheated out of victory in an election, they get violent. And when food prices go up, people become violent. All this points to those in authority who are not putting things in order,” Tilyenji said.

“So, the MMD leadership should not blame those expressing concern over violence, but blame themselves for not acting accordingly. The Mufumbwe situation is another example that Zambians are not immune to violence when things go bad. What I'm saying is that MMD should accept that they are in the right position to control the situation.”

Tilyenji said the country should have strong institutions that could curb violence.

He said the spirit of One Zambia, One Nation should be promoted the way the UNIP government promoted it.

“If we allow ourselves to preach tribalism, to be partisan all the time, then we are not going anywhere.

Those condemning violence are not the ones calling for it, but it is the MMD government which is not reacting to people's needs. We have been peaceful since independence and those in charge should ensure that the peace prevails,” said Tilyenji.

And Citizens Forum executive director Simon Kabanda said the government should heed Tilyenji’s warning instead of demonising him.

Kabanda said the ruling party should have acknowledged Tilyenji's concerns and taken measures.

“Dora Siliya is in short saying they are interested in violence. MMD leaders claim that they don't want violence but they do the opposite. Recently, we saw violence at their own provincial party conference in Lusaka. It was all an MMD affair; there was no other political party, so why should Dora refer to the UNIP era when we have seen so much violence under MMD?” Kabanda wondered.

He said for the MMD leadership to be seen to denounce violence, they should discipline culprits.
Recently, Tilyenji asked the government to address the flaws in the electoral Act to guarantee free and fair elections this year.

Colonel Panji Kaunda also said this year’s elections would be the bloodiest if the problem of violence was not controlled by the government.

But Siliya said violence ended in the UNIP era.

“Zambians are not interested in the politicians of doom. Why are they talking about the violence they have not seen? Zambians are only interested in politicians who have a positive vision for the country,” said Siliya.