Maravi

Internal wrangles jeopardising PF accomplishments - Mutesa
By Fridah Nkonde
Fri 04 Oct. 2013, 14:01 CAT

THE good that the PF government has accomplished in its first two years in office risks being jeopardised if the leadership fails to heed the concerns that many citizens have raised, says Dr Fred Mutesa.

And Dr Mutesa, who is Zambians for Empowerment and Development president, wished President Michael Sata God's wisdom and guidance as he deals with the internal leadership wrangles threatening the unity and stability of the PF.

In an interview yesterday, Dr Mutesa said if the PF and its government succeeded in its mission of improving the people's living standards, society as a whole would benefit.

"That is why we do not rejoice in making political capital out of the failures of our friends in government. Where they fail, we are all affected. We do not dispute the fact that the growth in infrastructural investments that we have witnessed during the first two years of the PF in government is good for society. This is as it should be and should continue. That is what governments are elected to do," Dr Mutesa said.
"Our concern is with the neglect of other equally important ingredients of peace and prosperity. The Scriptures teach us that, 'as dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honour' (Ecclesiastes 10:1). There is also a proverb common to our people which says that, 'one rotten nut forces a man to spit out everything'."

Dr Mutesa said the PF and its government needed to do something about its governance record, adding that good governance was the hallmark of democracy.

He said there were several undemocratic tendencies which seemed to be taking root under the PF and its government, adding that political violence had increased.

"Too much blood has been spilt during by-elections. What is the government doing to put a stop to this? The rights to freedoms of expression and assembly, especially for the opposition political parties have also come under serious threat. What is government doing to ensure that we are moving towards maturity? We surely can disagree without being disagreeable! There is routine defying of court orders by the executive which has endangered the independence of the Judiciary. The separation of powers should not just be talked about, but practiced," he said.

Dr Mutesa said media reforms, particularly the independence of public media and passing of access to information, had stalled.

"The PF has an opportunity to move the country forward at a faster speed than what we have seen, but it must do so in a manner that takes the concerns of all citizens on board," said Dr Mutesa.

Labels: FRED MUTESA, PF

posted by MrK @ 2:49 PM