Desist from politics of witch hunt, antagonism – Phiri
By Staff Reporter
MMD national executive committee member Peter Phiri has called on Zambians to desist from politics of witch hunt and antagonism.
And Phiri has opposed calls to establish an inquiry in the sale of State owned companies.
In his New Year message, Phiri observed that there was need for Zambians to exhibit civility in the way they practice politics in order to ensure that there was peace and unity in the country; as opposed to advocating for politics of resentment.
Phiri pointed out that politics characterised with resentment had the potential to divide people in the nation.
“We observed that in the year 2018 the political arena was characterised with politics of resentment. We witnessed 2018 politics of witch hunt and antagonism on a large scale in our country. And that kind of politics can easily divide people in the country,” explained Phiri. “Therefore, as we enter the year 2019 there’s need for Zambians to desist from politics of antagonism and with hunt. We need civility in our politics and ensure that we promote peace and unity amongst citizens. We are a Christian nation and we need to embrace Christian values even in the way we practice politics. Politics should not divide the people.”
He also said that the ruling party should stop using state machinery to silence opposition political parties.
“Going forward we would want to see a situation where members of opposition political parties would be allowed to freely assemble and express themselves on governance issues affecting the nation. We would want to see tenets of multiparty democracy flourish like was the case in 1991. The ruling party should stop using state machinery to silence and victimise opposition political parties,” said Phiri.
And Phiri has opposed calls to establish an Inquiry in the Sale of State owned companies.
He said establishing an Inquiry in the Privatisation of State owned companies would be a waste of time and resources.
“And I have of late been hearing calls from some sections of society that we need to establish an inquiry in the privatisation of state owned companies. And my take is that this will be an exercise in futility because it is aimed at trying to wrongly target and fix certain individuals in the political arena. It should be noted that what led to the privatisation of certain state owned companies in the 90s and the procedure that that they followed are all in public domain. For me, and I am speaking as an individual; establishing an Inquiry in the Privatisation of State owned companies would be a waste of time and resources,” said Phiri.
“What we would propose in the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission like the one that was established in South Africa, and led by Desmond Tutu, which saw the country attain peace and reconciliation after the apartheid. The economic stability can only be attained when there’s peace and unity in the country.”
