Zambians should give power to friends of the poor, says Mambo

Zambians should give power to friends of the poor, says Mambo
By Sandra Lombe
Sat 23 Apr. 2011, 04:00 CAT

ZAMBIANS should get back their power this year through the ballot box and give it to those who are friends of the poor, says Bishop John Mambo. And Bishop Mambo, who is former Church of God Overseer, said the country was currently in an intensive care unit (ICU) and called for violence-free elections.

“Not turning up to vote is retrogressive. Let’s get back the power and give it to those who are friends of the poor. Being in power shouldn’t change you from being a servant,” he said in an interview.

Bishop Mambo said if people did not change government this year, they will regret for the next five years.

“We are heading for another five years which everyone will regret if government is not changed. Let’s get back our power, rethink, pray and bring power to the friends of the poor. We are in intensive care, this is the time that people should be speaking with one voice, people should be speaking peace,” he said.

Bishop Mambo reiterated that the major problem in the country was poverty.

“Most Zambians have reached a position where they can lie, shine someone’s shoes with your tongue so that they get something. We need fresh-minded people this year. We don’t want a situation like Egypt, Iran, Libya…We don’t need leaders who are 200 kilometres away from the electorate,” he said.

“It is important to guard jealously the electoral process. People are not donkeys that you just move them in any direction, they think with their minds…”

Bishop Mambo said some bishops had become so compromised with a cup of black tea such that they stopped speaking for the poor and were attacking their colleagues.

“In 1991, people said they would rather die than have kickbacks,” he said.

He urged all the clergy to join the oppressed and speak for them.

“We shouldn’t allow politicians to call us names. But now they (government) are trying to blackmail us that we join politics. Why have they not joined us? That’s cheap politics. Government should approach bishops with the respect they deserve. We are all preaching peace,” said Bishop Mambo.