The Committee of Citizens has advised people planning to demonstrate over the sale of 75 percent ZAMTEL shares to devise better methods of airing their grievances.
Committee Executive Director Gregory Chifire says it is premature for people to demonstrate over the matter as they have not exhausted all channels through which they can air their views.
Mr. Chifire was speaking in an interview with ZANIS this evening.
He said despite being a constitutional right for any citizen to demonstrate, there is need for people to embrace dialogue when dealing with such matters.
He explained that people planning to demonstrate should first consider engaging themselves in constructive dialogue with the government.
He noted that Zambia being a democratic country, citizens should be encouraged not to engage in activities that are likely to bring confusion and tension in the country.
Mr. Chifire said there is need for citizens to address such subjects not in a politically motivated manner but rather in way that will be beneficial to everyone.
He noted that demonstrations always send wrong signals and disturb investor confidence in the country.
The Copperbelt University (CBU) and University of Zambia (UNZA) students and some opposition political parties are planning a nation- wide demonstration over the decision by government to sell 75 per cent shares of the state owned ZAMTEL.
ZANIS
Constructive dialogue would have been an option if the govt was willing to consult before making a clinically insane decision. The govt did not show any regard to hearing or addressing the views and needs of stakeholders They treated the sale as if zamtel was their personal to hold company. Demonstrations are usually a last resort to communication break downs which is what exactly this is exactly what it is. The govt has refused dialogue because they already made their decision . If this zamatel sale was genuine there should have been a referendum before making such callous decisions
That is why people like Brig General, Prof Chirwa, Magande and other forward thinking citizens should join hands to provide credible opposition other than ideologies being provided by political dundraff. The only reason I could support RB to win the last elections was not to leave the presidency in the hands of people who lack objectivity and change ideas on a daily basis to an extent that if tomorrow they saw vendors demosntarting againt LCC’s move to have them out of the streets they would join the demo; if they see bakamalasha being arrested by bakapendamabula for illegally cutting down trees they would provide support to bakamalasha. You cannot entertain such levels of entropy, we need level headed leadership, one that does not mind losing popularity for doing something right.
We have no channels of communication in Zambia buddies. We are always afraid of demos in Zambia. It begs the question: why? We ahve demos everywhere in the world to show displeasure. In Zambia demos are activities that threaten peace. What do we wantas a people then? The fear of demos is the reason why politicians can do whatever they like with our money while we wacth and talk about peace. You can’t eat peace. We can talk about peace however we like but that will not bring health services in the country. Countries that have been through war are doing practically better than us in all sectors of their economy. E.g Angola, Liberia, Moqambique, even when there is still war, Congo DR. What threat to peace! Muzadya PEACE imwe ba Committee of Citizens (whom ever you represent)?
#1 & 3…..Men mwalasa. It is true that In Zambia demo is analogous to war where as in other countries demos are analoqous to peace. So paradoxical indeed. Peace , peace while peaple continue living in abject poverty…atase!!!! Govnt has failed to listen to the people and never consulted the people and the guys are stif-necked ……so you Chifire how do you engange such evil people? The truth is that Zamtel makes money but the money is pocketed by the MMD and their relatives. How can you have a company full of same family trees?? ZAMTEL is viable what we need is professional management and non interferance by GRZ period.
Iwe Chifire, Do you expect anybody to dialogue with Bwezani who has publicly declared that he will sell 75% come what may.
Ma guys, ututwine utu bungwe mulepanga, twashani kanshi?
The planned demos wont yield any positive results coz the pipoin GRZ have already given the green light. This should have bin done much aerlier. The problem with us Zambians is being docile. We dont take kin interest in public affairs and leave everything to politicains to decide for us. If you go aornd the townships there is alot gabbage piling up at market places, shopping centres, streets and do nothing about. Just waiting for LCC/GRZ to do it for us. We have the power to intiate change but we sit back with our arms folded. When a cop is chasing a suspect pipo just watch without helping to apprehend. Those guys in GRZ are there for us and if we were serious monitoring public affairs they would not go against our decision. We see things happened & only react after damage has bin done.
#2 I agree with you on Gen. Miiyanda, Prof Chirwa & Magande and other forward thinking Zambians to come together. But I will confine myself to Gen. Miiyanda. I dont think Gen is the right man and he has not shade off his Military mentality. The man to say the least is a straight jacket and is part and parcel of the current political problems we are facing today. He is always working alone. Look at Heritage Party, do you think his party is national? If Miiyanda joined hand with others he could provide formidable opposition. Just as the saying says one finger cannot pick a louse. Military guys who ve turned politicians in some countries have stirred their countries to successful achievements in record time. Miyanda should join forces with others if he is to move forward other wise he be lone
Most of the pipo opposed to the sale of 75% shares in Zamtel donot have the facts right. I work for Zamtel and the facts are that the staff is in bloated numbers where secretaries have more power of command than Engineers. The number of customers has been going down every day despite the company keeping the same wage bill. This is ridiculous in business country men and women!!!!!!! Get the facts right b4 your open open your dirty a.s.s you f@@ls. Let GRZ sale this loss making company. If you have money like HH and MCS, let them buy the 75% shares. Bakabwa
Gregory Chifire dont you know that freedom of expression is enshrined in our constitution. As long as a permit is obtained every Zambian has the right to demonstrate.So if the students have got a permit then let them demonstrate. They are merely exercising their rights
IWE # 8 IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A PRSONAL GRUDGE AGAINST A SECRETARY AND YOU WOULD RATHER DESTROY A COMPANY BECAUSE YOU ARE FRUSTRATED. YOU WILL BE MORE FRUSTRATED WHEN THE NEW OWNERS BUY ZAMTEL AND RETRENCH YOU WITH PEANUTS YET THEY WILL KEEP THE SECRETARIES. WALABA SHANI POWER OF THE PUNI
Go ahead students & opposition and demostrate. You’ve our support. Let the police, the army, zaf and all patriotic zambians join in. the MMD govt doesnt care for we Zambians.
Sorry when people cannot be heard by any de mocratic gorvernment; they have a wright to demonstrate: we the citizens of Zambia are rearly at pains with the way RBs gorvernment is missmaneging our nation:the gorvernment must do what people want. Zambia doesnt belong to RB nor his corrupt ministers
TEACHERS in Nchelenge district have expressed displeasure over their District Education Board Secretary’s (DEBS) decision to demand financial contributions from schools to buy gifts for education minister Dora Siliya who is expected to tour government projects in the district.
But Nchelenge DEBS John Kalifungwa could neither deny nor confirm the matter.
Teachers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Kalifungwa went round the schools collecting K100, 000 from each of them for the purpose of buying gifts for Siliya.
“The money was being collected last week on Tuesday without the money being receipted for. The minister was expected on Thursday but the programme has changed, she is coming on Sunday [today]. The figure that is being targeted to be raised is K5 million as a…