Tue, 27 Jun 2017 13:20:56 +0000
By SIMON MUNTEMBA
THE failure by the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and opposition UPND leadership to manage their political cadres and restrain them from engaging in violence is worrisome and may put the country on fire, says veteran freedom fighter Christine Mulundika.
Ms Mulundika said there was danger to the security of the country if the current attacks on perceived political opponents by cadres of the two political parties were not effectively addressed.
She was reacting to the clash between PF and UPND cadres at Lusaka’s Memorial Park graveyard on Saturday where some mourners caught up in the fracas were injured.
Ms Mulundika said the political hostility between PF and UPND was endangering the maintenance of law and order in the country which she and other freedom fighters fought for.
In an interview with the Daily Nation yesterday, Ms Mulundika urged the two political party leaders to take firm and decisive steps to end violence between their cadres and that they should not be seen to be tolerating it.
She said it was shameful that bereaved families and individuals were not only deprived of their right to mourn and put to rest their departed ones in peace, but were subjected to politically- motivated physical violence, theft and destruction of their property at a graveyard.
Ms Mulundika said cemeteries should be sacred places of grieving and consoling those suffering from the loss of their departed relatives.
She said the political leadership from both PF and UPND should end the escalating levels of intolerance by promoting the spirit of co-existence, respect and protection of all rights fundamental to a pluralistic and democratic society.
And Ms Mulundika said the current state of affairs did not give hope to Zambians as political leaders seemed to be tolerating violence.
She said accusations and counter-accusations from the two political parties over violence would only perpetuate the vice, adding that there was need for both political leaders to take a leading role in promoting co-existence and respect for others.
“The clash was very unfortunate and shameful. The leadership of both PF and UPND should manage their political cadres and restrain them from engaging in violence because this is worrisome and may put the country on fire if left unattended to.
“It is unfortunate that there was no respect for the dead and this is not Zambian because Zambians respect the dead and for the people to start fighting is really unfortunate and uncalled for,
“What I would advise is that please let’s go back to our Zambian culture where we respect the dead. There is no need of fighting. There is need for effective leadership from the two camps in promoting coexistence and respect for others.
“We need to hear from all parties involved not only to condemn but to also reprimand their cadres, otherwise the attack of mourners by political cadres at Memorial Park on Saturday must be condemned in the strongest terms,“ she said.
