I received this account from a friend who has gone back to Zambia after his studies abroad. He was recently caught up in a serious misunderstanding with the police over a real estate deal that went sour but he was nowhere near being connected to it but was simply a case of mistaken identity. It is unbelievable, in this day and age, that Zambian Police could be have like this
Something very strange happened to me in Lusaka last month:
I'm responsible for a family residential unit which has been under renovations and expected to be rented out. My church reverend [acting as an agent] recieved an anonymous call from some "prospective tenant"; whom we agreed to meet at noon that day. At the rendezvous point, five men and a white lady turned up; physically dragged us [my reverend and I] to their vehicle and seriously assaulted us when we tried to run away -- they even threatened to shoot us with two pistols if we resisted. As this white lady drove; from Chilenje - Interland - State House - Kabulonga - Mass Media - Arcades Mall - Ngombe Police; we demanded an explanation of what was happening. They turned out to be cops and accused my Reverend [BG] swindling the white lady out of millions of Kwachas. After some back and forth, they released us with the officer in charge stating as follows: "It's unfortunate that we got the wrong man, we instead are looking for a Mr AG. You may not have noticed but one of those people you found at our offices identified you as negative. Please understand that it is necessary form time to time for us to be aggressive because we have no clue over the kind of people we're dealing with. Furthermore, your identity was forwarded to us by a private investigator so it's not exactly our fault."
I couldn't believe my ears and was shocked at the level of incompetence. More so, when we tried to use standard procedure to lodge a complaint [and an assault charge] against the officers involved, we were told that such events were "very usual" and " very common" in their line of work. Clearly, nothing would come out of our effort to bring these fellows to retribution -- therefore,our only option is to take them to high court in their individual capacities and hope something can be done about this. I believe that such men do not deserve the badge of our beloved police force.
Friday, 16 April 2010
Sunday, 4 April 2010
ZAMBIA NEEDS A PROGRESSIVE AGENDA FOR CHANGE
By Trevor Simumba
ZAMBIA today is at an important economic and political crossroads. Many patriotic citizens are asking what has happened to our great nation? In 2010 we face a dangerous uncommon breed of Zambian advocating anarchy and violence to remove a properly elected Government with a ‘red card campaign’. Politicians are daily hurling insults and threats against each other forgetting the suffering masses? Where is our country going? Where are the patriotic national leaders to speak up on behalf of the people? Many are cowering hiding away while others behave as minions daily praising their leaders. The country is in a shameful state where we do not respect the rule of law and, parts of the media and civil society have become toothless mouthpieces’ of local and foreign interests. It is important that we acknowledge the truth and not bury our heads in the sand.
At independence in 1964, Zambia had one of the most vibrant economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, which was supported by a strong mining industry. Today, Zambia has more than two thirds of its people living below $1 per day and GDP per capita is now one of the lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are now classified as a Least Developed Country and a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC). The Government has in the past been bold enough to undertake severe fiscal and monetary policies to achieve the HIPC Completion Point and generate more foreign aid. However, this success has been on the basis of a foreign imposed austerity programme that bears no relation to the reality on the ground for the ordinary Zambian.
Zambia is not poor and we can reverse all these negative statistics within 10 years if we unite and use our natural resources in a prudent manner. What is required is a locally owned and developed National Plan of Action (not foreign prepared and donor dependent Vision 2030) and the Political Will to implement the right policies over a sustained period of time to create the conditions that will allow the country create wealth and through that defeat poverty.
I urge all peace loving progressive Zambians to rally around this plan and let us focus on securing the future of our children rather than fighting over power. Our plan should be to restructure the economy to: create jobs, provide adequate incomes and to meet the basic needs of our people. The current political discourse in Zambia calls for progressive citizens to articulate and embody their values, embracing the metaphorical, cultural, and emotional quality of political thought rather than to focus on gaining power no matter the cost to the nation. The question one would pose is, what exactly has Rupiah Banda done that is so wrong that he must be removed from power using unlawful means? Why will the so called civil society and Pact not wait for 2011 and use the ballot to gain power?
Someone once said that “let us follow the Prince of Peace, not the dogs of war” because “those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities” – Voltaire. We are being daily bombarded by negative misleading headlines promoting tribalism and making Zambians think in tribal lines rather than as national citizens. The big question is why are the men and women who are tasked with security in Zambia sleeping on the job and allowing known people to continue to subvert and circumvent our nation’s freedom and unity? There is need for the President to act decisively and ensure Zambia remains ‘One Nation, One Zambia’.
It is true that there are a number of Government officials that need to be removed as they are not adding any value to the Government but this requires sensible objective criticism and not advocating violence. We should not be afraid of speaking out where we see wrong in Government but at the same time when we see wrong in the Opposition and in Government we must speak out as well.
Let us reflect on a Kenyan prayer that says: “From the cowardice that dare not face new truth, from the laziness that is contented with half truth, from the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth, Good Lord, deliver us”. May the good Lord deliver us and our country from evil forces. It is time for the Churches, business associations and all progressive Zambians rise up and speak against this deadly red card campaign and denounce this Priest speaking hatred and evil. Father Bwalya must be unmasked for what he really is and he if there was any principle in him, he would stop hiding behind a Priestly garment and state very clearly what he aims to achieve from this evil campaign. It would be best for Father Bwalya if he truly wants to play a positive role in the nation to go out there and encourage as many youths to register to vote and use their vote wisely in the next elections, instead he is inciting them to flash red cards against a democratically elected Government. That is wrong in any language of democracy.
Every Zambian knows that God teaches us to respect authority and to love one another just as Jesus loved us. Where we disagree with the Government we can do this without rancour and insults. If we truly believe we have a better deal to offer to the Zambian people lets go out there and campaign on issues not on how many trips a President takes. What petty politics we are allowing in the country. It is time for all political leaders in Zambia to tell us why they would like our votes in 2011. Tell us how you will improve health care, education and ensure that every Zambian has at least a decent basic standard of living. Our people have been patient enough, its time for true leaders in Zambia to emerge. Twachula pafula!! God bless Zambia.
*I thank Trevor Simumba for allowing me to use his write up on my blog.
ZAMBIA today is at an important economic and political crossroads. Many patriotic citizens are asking what has happened to our great nation? In 2010 we face a dangerous uncommon breed of Zambian advocating anarchy and violence to remove a properly elected Government with a ‘red card campaign’. Politicians are daily hurling insults and threats against each other forgetting the suffering masses? Where is our country going? Where are the patriotic national leaders to speak up on behalf of the people? Many are cowering hiding away while others behave as minions daily praising their leaders. The country is in a shameful state where we do not respect the rule of law and, parts of the media and civil society have become toothless mouthpieces’ of local and foreign interests. It is important that we acknowledge the truth and not bury our heads in the sand.
At independence in 1964, Zambia had one of the most vibrant economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, which was supported by a strong mining industry. Today, Zambia has more than two thirds of its people living below $1 per day and GDP per capita is now one of the lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are now classified as a Least Developed Country and a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC). The Government has in the past been bold enough to undertake severe fiscal and monetary policies to achieve the HIPC Completion Point and generate more foreign aid. However, this success has been on the basis of a foreign imposed austerity programme that bears no relation to the reality on the ground for the ordinary Zambian.
Zambia is not poor and we can reverse all these negative statistics within 10 years if we unite and use our natural resources in a prudent manner. What is required is a locally owned and developed National Plan of Action (not foreign prepared and donor dependent Vision 2030) and the Political Will to implement the right policies over a sustained period of time to create the conditions that will allow the country create wealth and through that defeat poverty.
I urge all peace loving progressive Zambians to rally around this plan and let us focus on securing the future of our children rather than fighting over power. Our plan should be to restructure the economy to: create jobs, provide adequate incomes and to meet the basic needs of our people. The current political discourse in Zambia calls for progressive citizens to articulate and embody their values, embracing the metaphorical, cultural, and emotional quality of political thought rather than to focus on gaining power no matter the cost to the nation. The question one would pose is, what exactly has Rupiah Banda done that is so wrong that he must be removed from power using unlawful means? Why will the so called civil society and Pact not wait for 2011 and use the ballot to gain power?
Someone once said that “let us follow the Prince of Peace, not the dogs of war” because “those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities” – Voltaire. We are being daily bombarded by negative misleading headlines promoting tribalism and making Zambians think in tribal lines rather than as national citizens. The big question is why are the men and women who are tasked with security in Zambia sleeping on the job and allowing known people to continue to subvert and circumvent our nation’s freedom and unity? There is need for the President to act decisively and ensure Zambia remains ‘One Nation, One Zambia’.
It is true that there are a number of Government officials that need to be removed as they are not adding any value to the Government but this requires sensible objective criticism and not advocating violence. We should not be afraid of speaking out where we see wrong in Government but at the same time when we see wrong in the Opposition and in Government we must speak out as well.
Let us reflect on a Kenyan prayer that says: “From the cowardice that dare not face new truth, from the laziness that is contented with half truth, from the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth, Good Lord, deliver us”. May the good Lord deliver us and our country from evil forces. It is time for the Churches, business associations and all progressive Zambians rise up and speak against this deadly red card campaign and denounce this Priest speaking hatred and evil. Father Bwalya must be unmasked for what he really is and he if there was any principle in him, he would stop hiding behind a Priestly garment and state very clearly what he aims to achieve from this evil campaign. It would be best for Father Bwalya if he truly wants to play a positive role in the nation to go out there and encourage as many youths to register to vote and use their vote wisely in the next elections, instead he is inciting them to flash red cards against a democratically elected Government. That is wrong in any language of democracy.
Every Zambian knows that God teaches us to respect authority and to love one another just as Jesus loved us. Where we disagree with the Government we can do this without rancour and insults. If we truly believe we have a better deal to offer to the Zambian people lets go out there and campaign on issues not on how many trips a President takes. What petty politics we are allowing in the country. It is time for all political leaders in Zambia to tell us why they would like our votes in 2011. Tell us how you will improve health care, education and ensure that every Zambian has at least a decent basic standard of living. Our people have been patient enough, its time for true leaders in Zambia to emerge. Twachula pafula!! God bless Zambia.
*I thank Trevor Simumba for allowing me to use his write up on my blog.
Saturday, 3 April 2010
PRESS STATEMENT BY FR. FRANK BWALYA ON PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA ATTENDANCE OF GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE AT ST. IGNATIUS CHURCH
PRESS STATEMENT BY FR FRANK BWALYA
SATURDAY 3RD APRIL 2010
President Rupiah Banda’s attendance of the Good Friday service at St Ignatius Catholic parish in Lusaka was an act of mockery and should be seen by all Catholics as another slap in the face. It is not different from the action of Dr Frederick Chiluba to receive Holy Communion at the same church knowing too well that it was not in order for him to do so. I make this statement against the background of the grossly unfair and evil things that Mr Banda’s government has consistently accused the Catholic Church of. He presides over a government whose members including the official spokesperson Rev. Ronnie Shikapwasha has accused the Catholic Church in Zambia of planning genocide. Rev Shikapwasha even stated that members of our church are more Catholic and Christian. We all know that the government of Mr Banda is behind the machinations of persons that have been using state controlled media to vilify and scandalise the local and universal Catholic Church. Even the salvo that these people have been unleashing on Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu is packaged and fully sponsored by Mr Banda’s government. This explains why such people have access to unlimited space and airtime in state controlled print and electronic media respectively. Moreover, some MMD officials have directly attacked Archbishop Mpundu.
I wish to remind my fellow Catholics that on Tuesday March 30, 2010 the state controlled Times of Zambia published a feature article under the title “The great shame of the Catholic Church” by one of Mr Banda’s proxies in his government’s smear campaign against us and specific members of the Catholic family in Zambia. It would be very naïve of anyone to believe that the said feature article which repeated the genocide allegation among other evil accusations was by an individual exercising his constitutional freedom of expression. It’s all propaganda and only children and naïve people would be fooled.
As a matter of fact many Zambians know that state media has been reduced to mouthpieces of the MMD government and is being used to splash cheap propaganda against those perceived to be threatening Mr Banda’s plan to win elections in 2011 so that he can continue to be president and finish visiting countries in the world.
The MMD is on recorded instructing some of its members to apologise to individuals or groups of people they offended. But this is the same party that has not apologized over malicious remarks made against Catholic Church. Up to now Mr Banda’s government has not apologised over the genocide accusations made by Rev. Shikapwasha let alone condemning them.
Against this background, I think that the only source of Mr Banda’s guts to go to St Ignatius parish on Good Friday was that he would not be snubbed or prevented from attending the service. But time has come for us to challenge Mr Banda’s government and demand that they explain why they keep slapping us in the face. I know that shortly after this statement comes out Mr Banda’s hired people will accuse me of not promoting reconciliation and that my statement does not represent the official position of the Catholic Church in Zambia. Let me address these two expected responses. I am ready to forgive Mr Banda’s government and I am sure that many other Catholics would like to do so. But these people want to treat us like fools and they expect us to forgive them regardless of the stubbornness and insolence with which they continue to injure us. They should be reminded that Jesus demanded to know why a guard slapped him for being forthright. This is recorded in the passion narrative by John in chapter 18 verses 19 to 23. Regarding the issue of an official position of the Catholic Church on these matters, I believe that there is no such a thing as an official position against evil. Evil is evil and no prophet or any sensible person needs permission to condemn it or wait for an official spokesperson to do so. Moreover, there is no such a thing as an official position on attacks directed at members of a united and loving family. For instance, how can the Catholic Church say to the MMD, “It is okay because you have just scandalised a few members of our family such as Bishop Duffy, Bishop Mpundu, Fr Miha, Fr Mwewa etc and not the entire family. So you can continue attacking them and they should defend themselves and our official position is that we enjoy a cordial relationship with your government.” This would only have been possible if the Catholic Church were not a united and loving family concerned about the welfare of its shepherds and members. As a matter of fact, the Church is the Body of Christ and all parts in this body love, support and feel for one another.
Finally, as a baptised Catholic who was confirmed and promised to defend my faith I give president Banda seven days to make a public apology over his government’s unwarranted attacks on the Catholic Church especially regarding accusations of genocide failure to which I will make sure that Mr Banda is made to feel unwelcome at Catholic functions including official ones to which he may be invited as republican president. We shall protest against the presence of president Banda and members of his government at our religious functions. I urge all confirmed Catholics to defend our faith against attacks by Mr Banda’s government. It is time for us to stand up and defend our faith before our children begin to believe the evil propaganda being spread about us. An effective and powerful way of expressing ourselves on this matter must be found.
Frank Bwalya (Fr)
Confirmed Catholic
SATURDAY 3RD APRIL 2010
President Rupiah Banda’s attendance of the Good Friday service at St Ignatius Catholic parish in Lusaka was an act of mockery and should be seen by all Catholics as another slap in the face. It is not different from the action of Dr Frederick Chiluba to receive Holy Communion at the same church knowing too well that it was not in order for him to do so. I make this statement against the background of the grossly unfair and evil things that Mr Banda’s government has consistently accused the Catholic Church of. He presides over a government whose members including the official spokesperson Rev. Ronnie Shikapwasha has accused the Catholic Church in Zambia of planning genocide. Rev Shikapwasha even stated that members of our church are more Catholic and Christian. We all know that the government of Mr Banda is behind the machinations of persons that have been using state controlled media to vilify and scandalise the local and universal Catholic Church. Even the salvo that these people have been unleashing on Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu is packaged and fully sponsored by Mr Banda’s government. This explains why such people have access to unlimited space and airtime in state controlled print and electronic media respectively. Moreover, some MMD officials have directly attacked Archbishop Mpundu.
I wish to remind my fellow Catholics that on Tuesday March 30, 2010 the state controlled Times of Zambia published a feature article under the title “The great shame of the Catholic Church” by one of Mr Banda’s proxies in his government’s smear campaign against us and specific members of the Catholic family in Zambia. It would be very naïve of anyone to believe that the said feature article which repeated the genocide allegation among other evil accusations was by an individual exercising his constitutional freedom of expression. It’s all propaganda and only children and naïve people would be fooled.
As a matter of fact many Zambians know that state media has been reduced to mouthpieces of the MMD government and is being used to splash cheap propaganda against those perceived to be threatening Mr Banda’s plan to win elections in 2011 so that he can continue to be president and finish visiting countries in the world.
The MMD is on recorded instructing some of its members to apologise to individuals or groups of people they offended. But this is the same party that has not apologized over malicious remarks made against Catholic Church. Up to now Mr Banda’s government has not apologised over the genocide accusations made by Rev. Shikapwasha let alone condemning them.
Against this background, I think that the only source of Mr Banda’s guts to go to St Ignatius parish on Good Friday was that he would not be snubbed or prevented from attending the service. But time has come for us to challenge Mr Banda’s government and demand that they explain why they keep slapping us in the face. I know that shortly after this statement comes out Mr Banda’s hired people will accuse me of not promoting reconciliation and that my statement does not represent the official position of the Catholic Church in Zambia. Let me address these two expected responses. I am ready to forgive Mr Banda’s government and I am sure that many other Catholics would like to do so. But these people want to treat us like fools and they expect us to forgive them regardless of the stubbornness and insolence with which they continue to injure us. They should be reminded that Jesus demanded to know why a guard slapped him for being forthright. This is recorded in the passion narrative by John in chapter 18 verses 19 to 23. Regarding the issue of an official position of the Catholic Church on these matters, I believe that there is no such a thing as an official position against evil. Evil is evil and no prophet or any sensible person needs permission to condemn it or wait for an official spokesperson to do so. Moreover, there is no such a thing as an official position on attacks directed at members of a united and loving family. For instance, how can the Catholic Church say to the MMD, “It is okay because you have just scandalised a few members of our family such as Bishop Duffy, Bishop Mpundu, Fr Miha, Fr Mwewa etc and not the entire family. So you can continue attacking them and they should defend themselves and our official position is that we enjoy a cordial relationship with your government.” This would only have been possible if the Catholic Church were not a united and loving family concerned about the welfare of its shepherds and members. As a matter of fact, the Church is the Body of Christ and all parts in this body love, support and feel for one another.
Finally, as a baptised Catholic who was confirmed and promised to defend my faith I give president Banda seven days to make a public apology over his government’s unwarranted attacks on the Catholic Church especially regarding accusations of genocide failure to which I will make sure that Mr Banda is made to feel unwelcome at Catholic functions including official ones to which he may be invited as republican president. We shall protest against the presence of president Banda and members of his government at our religious functions. I urge all confirmed Catholics to defend our faith against attacks by Mr Banda’s government. It is time for us to stand up and defend our faith before our children begin to believe the evil propaganda being spread about us. An effective and powerful way of expressing ourselves on this matter must be found.
Frank Bwalya (Fr)
Confirmed Catholic
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