Government mustn't compromise on corruption - Siwila
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Thu 08 Mar. 2012, 11:57 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata's government must never be seen to be compromised in the fight against corruption as many Zambians want justice done on the plundered economy, says Reverend Teddy Siwila.
In an interview on Tuesday, Rev Silwila of United Church of Zambia St John's Congregation in Mufulira said the law should visit anyone involved in corruption without fear or favour.
He said President Sata had a responsibility to clean up the governance system which was seriously infested with corruption.
Rev Siwila said many Zambians who participated in the change of government wanted President Sata and the PF government to put up a vigorous fight against abuse of national resources so that the people could start seeing the equal distribution of national wealth.
He said many people in Zambia were poor and still seeking improvements in their economic and social life.
Rev Siwila said many people voted for the PF government because they were hopeful that President Sata would enhance social justice by vigorously fighting corruption and making sure that plunderers return what was stolen from national coffers.
"We agree that the law must take its course and this must not be jeopardised by anybody. There should be no political interference. Time has come to make things right in our country. Corruption takes away everything, it takes away competitiveness, hard work, integrity and many important aspects that could propel national prosperity," he said.
Rev Siwila said the gap between the rich and the poor in the country was disheartening and serious measures were required by government leaders to harness the intellect and the country's abundant natural resources to decipher most of the societies' challenges.
"The time people danced and celebrated PF's victory last year spoke volumes of the fact that the victory was for the poor and marginalised, the people on the streets and change of government was the only hope they had. This government is accountable to these people and must always work hard for the betterment of the majority poor," Rev Siwila said.
He said President Sata's administration would gain more respect once it begins to demonstrate to the nation the much-needed transparency and accountability in its dealings.
Labels: CORRUPTION, MICHAEL SATA, TEDDY SIWILA
Read more...
Govt’s intolerance is creating tension, says UCZ’s Rev Siwila
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Mon 29 Mar. 2010, 04:00 CAT
KITWE’S United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Kwacha East Congregation Reverend Teddy Siwila has said the government’s insensitivity, intolerance and failure to embrace criticism on matters of governance is provoking people and creating unnecessary political tension.
And Rev Siwila has challenged the MMD government and opposition political parties to refrain from harassing people who hold divergent views and respect the country’s democratic and political dispensation.
In an interview in Kitwe, Rev Siwila said the style of leadership of President Rupiah Banda’s administration was worrying and provoking the minds of the right thinking members of the public because of its failure to listen to the voice of the people over matters of national interest such as the constitution-making process, the fight against corruption, unemployment and the escalating poverty levels.
Rev Siwila said it would be difficult for the country to attain meaningful development and enjoy the fruits of being in a democratic state if government continued to lend a deaf ear to various stakeholders and the general citizenry over matters that affect them.
He said it was unfortunate that politics of insults had become the order of the day and people holding government power had diverted attention from real issues to mere politicking.
“It would be difficult to end this tension we are seeing in the political arena because those in the corridors of power are not listening to what the people are saying. This country needs leaders who are going to embrace criticism, tolerance and uphold the values of being in a democracy. We need to see maturity in the conduct of our leaders and not this childishness we are seeing, that’s why people are angry,” Rev Siwila said.
He said the general citizenry would only give respect to President Banda and his government if it stopped concentrating much on consolidating political power but address issues that affect the poor people.
He said that fostering good governance was not about having political power but touching poor people’s lives through service delivery. He said it was saddening to note that church leaders and various prominent individuals who speak out on issues that affect the people were being maliciously attacked.
“The current national leaders should begin to understand that criticism builds a nation because it exposes the weaknesses of a particular leadership thereby providing checks and balances that must prompt leaders to take action,” said Rev Siwila. “That’s how it’s done in developed countries and that’s how these countries have attained meaningful development because they embrace the views of everybody and they respect the opinion of every concerned citizen.”
Labels: MMD, TEDDY SIWILA
Read more...
Govt should listen to critical voice of clergy, says Rev Siwila
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe and Agness Changala in Lusaka
Sun 28 Feb. 2010, 03:20 CAT
KITWE’S United Church of Zambia Kwacha East Congregation Reverend Teddy Siwila has said President Rupiah Banda’s government must be able to listen to the critical voice of the clergy and various stakeholders if the country is to attain meaningful development.
In an interview on Friday, Rev. Siwila observed that the alarming levels of corruption, adverse poverty and inept governance system were due to government’s failure to listen to critical voices that want to see government business handled in a proper and transparent manner.
He said posterity would judge people holding government power harshly if they failed to fight corruption and abuse of authority by those in public service.
Rev Siwila has said politicians should not issue unwarranted attacks on the Church for speaking out on matters of governance because their vocation is to speak out on matters that affect God’s people.
“It’s very disappointing to see how clergymen are being scandalised by politicians when they genuinely speak on issues that affect the people.
You cannot draw a line between the Church and politics because what happens in the political arena affects the people. We will continue to denounce evil activities and challenge those in power to promote common good; that’s our role as the Church,” Rev Siwila said.
He said it would be difficult for the current government to address various challenges the majority poor were facing if it was not ready to listen to criticism and to embrace the critical voice of the Church that always spoke for the voiceless.
He further said there was need for politicians both in the ruling and opposition political parties to embrace tolerance and handle politics in an atmosphere of love and unity adding that the plight of the poor must be an ultimate focus of every leader and not State House.
Rev Siwila observed that there was a growing hostility among politicians because of intolerance in the political arena and the failure to accept constructive criticism by those in leadership positions.
“Those who seek political office must be able to embrace criticism because that’s what moves the country forward. Unfortunately everything is being tailored out of greediness by the minority few who are in decision-making positions such that they don’t want to listen to critical views. We need to change this attitude if the country is to see meaningful development,” said Rev Silwila.
And Catholic priest Fr Spencer Nyendwa has said observations made by the Catholics on issues that affect people should not be ignored.
In an interview yesterday, Fr Nyendwa who is also Monze Diocese development advocacy officer said there was no doubt that the Catholic Church was key and critical here in Zambia and therefore, they should not be ignored.
Fr Nyendwa said priests spoke facts and what was on the ground.
He said he did not know of any priest who had insulted except that what they spoke about were things happening on the ground and by so doing, provided checks and balances.
Fr Nyendwa said most sentiments made by his colleagues and many other people in society were as a result of being frustrated because they had talked about certain issues several times without seeing any changes.
“People are frustrated because how many times are they going to talk about certain things without seeing any changes?” he asked.
And Fr Nyendwa said the councils being run by the opposition was no excuse for the government not to take responsibility as others would just compliment their efforts.
He said it was also the government’s responsibility to ensure that Lusaka and many other places affected by floods were taken care of.
Labels: CLERGY, TEDDY SIWILA
Read more...
