Maravi

STOP VIOLENCE - SATA
By Bivan Saluseki and Abel Mboozi
Sun 10 Nov. 2013, 14:00 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata has advised the youth in the party against being violent. Commenting on the intra-party clashes that took place in Lusaka on Thursday in which a PF cadre lost his life, President Sata said if the youth were aggrieved by anything, there was a disciplinary process which they could follow.

"My advice to them is to say there is a disciplinary procedure which they can follow. They should stop the violence because 'chabwela pa munzako, mailo chili pali iwe'," said President Sata.

President Sata said police should act on cadres fanning violence.

And PF Lusaka Province chairperson Geoffrey Chumbwe said it was heartbreaking that PF members should continue fighting among themselves.

Commenting on Thursday's violence, Chumbwe said it was a sad situation that fighting in the PF had continued despite the recent reconciliation that took place amongst the 'warring' factions.

"My brother, it's a sad situation, I don't even know what to say. I am heartbroken that we should continue fighting amongst ourselves and it is just my prayer that one day we will manage this situation," he said.

Chumbwe said the PF was working towards ensuring that violent acts in the party were stopped forthwith.

"I regret what happened and hope that very soon and very soon, this thing will come to an end, where we shall look at each other as a brother and sister belonging to one party and more so as peaceful Zambians," he said.

Chumbwe said Zambians were known to be peace-loving citizens and such a trait should be followed to the letter.

He said it was unfortunate that most of the youths being used in violent activities were not even in party structures.

"And so we have to identify who the ringleaders are, and we have to talk to them. It's not always that you have to discipline people to get a solution. We have to find a better method of sorting out this problem," he said.

Chumbwe said he could not rule out the possibility that the youth were being used by some forces and that the party would try and establish that.

"So we are trying to dialogue and also find out why these cadres are continuing on the path of violence. There could be something that maybe we can't understand, probably maybe somebody could be using them for their selfish motives," he said. "But as we go along, we shall come across something that will give a direction over this matter."

On his being targeted by the unruly cadres alongside Robert Chikwelete and Kennedy Kamba, Chumbwe said: "You know the targeting, I am not there. If people are targeting me or whatever, I wouldn't know that because for me really, I will be very honest with you, I don't plan evil against any other and what people plan against me, I don't know."

And Kamba who is PF Lusaka Province youth chairperson described the violence as unfortunate.
He appealed to the PF youth to remain strong, support and defend the leadership of President Sata to ensure he was re-elected in 2016.

"I urge the youths to stand strong against anybody trying to use them to fan confusion in the PF; they should support the good leadership of President Sata which is centered at implementing pro-poor policies," said Kamba.

Last Thursday, some PF youths ran amok and engaged in bloody fights in Lusaka's central business district, bringing business to a standstill.

The fracas which left one cadre dead, forced people to abandon their businesses in town. The youths had earlier mounted a checkpoint on the Airport Road near Club Marylyn, screening officials who were going to attend the laying of the foundation stone at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport with a view to blocking those considered to be supporters of Chikwelete and former district chairman Goodson Banda.

Labels: MICHAEL SATA, PF, POLITICAL VIOLENCE

posted by MrK @ 3:53 PM