• Home
  • About Us
  • Support
  • Concerts & Events
  • Music & Media
  • Faith
  • Listen Live
  • Give Now

Article Archive

Bishop Chinyemba admonishes against lawlessness in Zambia

As Zambians prepare for general elections in August, the Bishop-Director of Caritas Zambia as well as Mongu Diocese Bishop, Evans Chinyemba has called upon authorities in the country to act decisively against political violence and hooliganism perpetrated by youths and party cadres. Bishop Chinyemba made the remarks recently in his Diocese while commenting on the message of Easter and the advent of Pentecost. The Bishop raised the spectre of serious violence during the country’s August general elections if nothing is done to rein-in on political cadres. He wondered why political cadres were being allowed to act with impunity in the country.For Bishop Chinyemba, political cadres especially those of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) party now control bus stations, taxi ranks and markets in the cities. He has charged that even the Zambia Police apparently cannot control the cadres.“If we take a serious look at the recent happenings in the political life of the nation, we re...

As Zambians prepare for general elections in August, the Bishop-Director of Caritas Zambia as well as Mongu Diocese Bishop, Evans Chinyemba has called upon authorities in the country to act decisively against political violence and hooliganism perpetrated by youths and party cadres. Bishop Chinyemba made the remarks recently in his Diocese while commenting on the message of Easter and the advent of Pentecost. The Bishop raised the spectre of serious violence during the country’s August general elections if nothing is done to rein-in on political cadres. He wondered why political cadres were being allowed to act with impunity in the country.

For Bishop Chinyemba, political cadres especially those of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) party now control bus stations, taxi ranks and markets in the cities. He has charged that even the Zambia Police apparently cannot control the cadres.

“If we take a serious look at the recent happenings in the political life of the nation, we realise that cadres have illegally been given the power to run anything under the Sun. This power which has been granted to cadres with the view of punishing political opponents and their supporters will one day haunt the very political parties that gave them the power in the first place,” warned Bishop Chinyemba. 

Last month Zambia was engulfed in xenophobic riots mostly driven by youths. The riots followed rumours of ritual killings in the capital Lusaka and saw vast areas of deprived neighbourhoods descend into a frenzy of looting and destruction targeting foreign-owned shops. Over fifty shops belonging to the Rwandese community resident in Zambia were looted and damaged in the townships.

Violence at the hands of unemployed bands of youths who do the bidding on behalf of politicians is a trend that has been growing in Zambia. All political parties have a wing of such youths whose role is to intimidate opponents and non-complaint citizens. In March, this year, Zambian politicians including the country’s President, Edgar Lungu in his capacity as head of the ruling PF party met with opposition politicians at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross, in Lusaka for discussions aimed at reducing political violence perpetrated by cadres. A declaration was signed at the end of the talks, but since then there has been nothing much to show regarding an improved political climate. For cadres, it is business as usual.

Earlier in the year, the Law A Association of Zambia (LAZ) also raised its concerns at the worsening incidences of violence and disorderly conduct associated with political activities in Zambia. The legal association appealed to the Zambia Police and other state law enforcement agencies to act decisively and bring all perpetrators of violence to justice as a way of preserving peace in the country.

“Rather dishearteningly, the advice and the calls of LAZ and other stakeholders in the governance of our country, have not been heeded by the authorities responsible for maintaining law and order. Consequently, political violence has been on the rise at a very alarming rate,” read the 1 March 2016 media statement.

Bishop Chinyemba has admonished citizens not to sit back and allow the political situation of their country deteriorate. He reiterated his advice that that whenever the rule of law prevails, communities live in peace. He gave the example of power given to the Apostles at Pentecost. That power, said Bishop Chinyemba, was power to do good and not destroy lives; authority to build and not power for destruction.

“Why should we continue to tolerate the illegal power which cadres seem to have? Are our political leaders afraid to take this power back for fear of losing political popularity? Let our message be that power is subject to the rule of law,” the Bishop said.

(Fr. Paul Samasumo, Vatican Radio)

Full Article

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Soundcloud

Public Inspection File | EEO

© 2015 - 2021 Spirit FM 90.5 - All Rights Reserved.