Copperbelt SP starts anti-30 ngwee phone tarrif revolution
By Staff Reporter
The Socialist Party on the Copperbelt has called on Zambians to rise and denounce capitalism by publicly rejecting the 30 ngwee per day tarrif imposed by the ruling PF on phone calls made using the internet.
A Chingola Socialist youth activist says the PF leadership cannot secure or create jobs on the back of exploiting the already poor working class Zambians through taxing social media calls.
Commenting on the Zambian government’s move to introduce a 30 ngwee tax on internet calls, Joseph Kangwa described the controversial tarrif as an expression of oppression and repression.
“Overtaxing in a country where there are high levels of unemployment and abject poverty, it is an indirect threat to the life of a human being,” Kangwa stated on the SP Facebook page
“The Cabinet approval of the issuance of a Statutory Instrument that will facilitate the introduction of a 30 ngwee as a day tariff to be charged through mobile phone operators and internet providers on internet calls, shows the capability of today’s government to oppress and repress the poor Zambians.”
He alleged that the move was meant to exploit the working class who bought phones on their own in the interest of communicating with their families and friends worldwide and access to information, especially to his fellow youths who are advancing their education.
“Maybe, they have forgotten not so long ago on 12th March this year during Youth Day cerebrations, the same government came up with the theme of ‘Leveraging opportunities through Information 7and Communications Technology (ICT)’. They were busy going on the media encouraging us, youths, to take advantage of ICT to access education and ideas like on how to be an entrepreneur and so forth in the interest of empowerment,” Kangwa reminded. “Why should we pay 30 ngwee tax when we pay for both airtime and data bundles? You cannot secure or create jobs on the basis of exploiting others.
And not so long ago, the people of Uganda refused such kind of a law by protesting and the government was forced to withdraw the said tax.”
Kangwa further expressed sadness that a ” high percentage of our income is being spent on politics and to pay salaries to the government officials”.
“And to make it worse , taxation income barely reaches the lower income groups but favours the people in power,” he stated in part.
And Gilbert Mumba, a leader of the SP in Kitwe, has issued a clarion call to all party comrades, wherever they might be, to voice out and campaign against what he termed as inhuman behaviour being portrayed by “these capitalists”.
“Revolutionary Greetings Comandantes. Greetings from the provincial office of Copperbelt to the entire fronts in Copperbelt and surrounding territories. Today comrades, we join the workers of our country and reject the 30 ngwee fine on internet services per day. Today as Revolutionists, as Socialists, as Workers, as comrades from the same battalion and as a movement aimed at changing the entire system of Governance, today we rise and denounce unnecessary taxes aimed at oppressing the poor workers of Zambia,” Mumba stated. “Wherever we might be comrades, let’s voice out and campaign against this inhuman behavior being portrayed by these capitalists. Comrades, we are not a source of income, we are not sacrificial pawns, we are not charitable organisations. We are humans, a special creation with a right to live peacefully and the right to be treated equally.
He observed that Zambians live on a continent blessed with vast mineral deposits and they don’t deserve to suffer like they were doing today.
“Socialism is voice of the voiceless and eye to the blind. Let’s work hard and mobilize and get results. Enough is enough leaders,” stated Mumba. “Today will be going round in media houses to denounce capitalism and promote socialism feel free to come by the Office at 10hrs and be a part of us!!!!! Abash capitalism Abash!!!! Abash 30 ngwee fine Abash!!!! Abash workers intimidation Abash!!!! Abash injustice and inequity Abash!!! Viva justice equity & peace Viva!!! Viva social justice Viva!!! Viva to the Revolution Viva!!! Viva socialism Viva!!! Viva SP Zambia Viva!!!! Viva Africa Viva!!! We give solidarity to our comrades in Venezuela and Brazil.”
