5 November 2009
MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs) on Tuesday evening condemned the increasing violence among political party cadres and asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to protect the citizenry, regardless of their political affiliation.
Contributing to the 2010 budgetary allocation to the Zambia Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs, members of Parliament from the opposition and the ruling party complained about the growing intolerance levels in the nation.
Pemba MP David Matongo (UPND) said although Zambia had enjoyed peace since independence, it was important that the politicians desisted from issuing inflammatory statements that might annoy their opponents.
He said what occurred in Solwezi during the nominations for the by-election scheduled for November 19 was regrettable and a recipe for anarchy.
Mr Matongo said the Ministry of Home Affairs and the police should guarantee the safety of the citizens, regardless of their political standing.
Chongwe MP Sylvia Masebo (MMD) said the Government should condemn violence regardless of the party that caused the mayhem.
She feared that the situation would be worse in 2011 if no stringent measures were taken to reverse the trend.
Luena MP Charles Milupi (Independent) said the presence of the police in rural areas was minimal thereby increasing the cases of cattle rustling, adding that this was one of the reasons many people in rural areas were living in poverty.
Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti said MPs should respect each other despite having divergent views.
Mr Mulongoti advised Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani not to seek to please everybody but to carry out his functions professionally.
Luapula MP Peter Machungwa (PF) said for the police to carry out its mandate of fighting crime effectively, there was need to introduce an air wing that would make it difficult for criminals to elude the law enforcement officers.
Chiengi MP Katele Kalumba (MMD) said violence among political parties started as early as the 1990s and that it was important that leaders of all parties advised their members to desist from such acts.
Winding up the debate, Mr Mangani said the issue of political violence was a concern to the Government but called for concerted efforts in addressing the problem.
He also said there was need for political parties to notify the ministry in advance before holding public rallies.
Vice-President George Kunda told the House that the office of the Commission for Investigations had from January to October this year received 368 complaints and handled 367.
In the year 2010, he said the office intended to strengthen its legal and institutional framework.
Mr Kunda said this when he delivered a policy statement for the office.
In the policy statement for his ministry, Energy and Water Development Minister Kenneth Konga said the Government was working at addressing the erratic supply of petroleum products.
He said if the storage facilities at Tazama were rehabilitated, the country would be able to store stocks for 30 days.
Further, he said the Government was working at ensuring that load shedding was reduced and expressed optimism that the set targets would be achieved.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly, Amusaa Mwanamwambwa yesterday cautioned Roan member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili (PF) for issuing threats against his Shiwang'andu counterpart Celestino Chibamba.
Mr Mwanamwambwa cautioned Mr Kambwili against threatening other MPs because Parliament was a place for honourable men and women.
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