The Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has expressed fears that Thursday’s by- elections in Mufumbwe might not be free and fair because of the already existing tension arising from the political violence taking place ahead of the polls.
SACCORD Executive Director, Lee Habasonda said the escalating violence in Mufumbwe, clearly demonstrates that there is no political will to see the by-elections conducted in a free and fair environment.
Mr. Habasonda said it is unacceptable for the violent situation in Mufumbwe to persist when the republican President and the Inspector General of police claim to have deployed an extra number of officers to the area.
He accused the police of being selective in maintaining law and order by applying the law to those from the opposition while allowing MMD cadres to break the law with impunity.
Mr Habasonda has since called on president Banda to order the Inspector of General, Francis Kabonde to handle the situation in Mufumbwe in a professional manner.
[Q FM]
lee naimwe .the mmd can never do that .that is why we call upon ,people like u to ensure votes are not rigged.Rb IS DOING EVRYTHING IN HIS POWER TO REMAIN IN POWER.however what he does not know is that POWER BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE .
what do you expect from a man like kabonde when he was lusaka comanding officer he behaved in the same manner. now that he is the big boss its times two. stop appointing illiterates in higher positions.
there people like doctor solomon jere why not appoint such professionals in such positions.
Tell us something we dont know
Mr Habasonda, wasn’t your SACCORD found guilty of operating illegally? Anyhow, if you have not been out of the country and if you have followed the local news regularly, you will agree with me that President Banda has issued such instructions, and whether we like it or not that is probably what has brought the situation under control. By the way as SACCORD you are expected to take a neutral position, and condemn all cadres and kaponyas from both sides who clearly see democracy from the tin of chibuku or bottle of kachasu.
Sister Katie Good.i thought u dismissed reports of violence when the Post reported them -why change of mind?
The only capacity Bwezi has is to fuel violence not to quench it….:-t
If think katie(5) good was born from a prostitute that he or she acting like a senseless person who grew up a cabin and educated by well wishers.
Katie is indeed a son of a prostitute. he is exhibiting utter ignorance and shameless behaviour on this important blog to the displeasure of the right thinking international community. Take this Katie away and help him locate his father who fertililized his mother after a drinking spree at Cock Pit club.
#5, I am trying to show you that violence must be condemned either way.
#8, I know where to hit you to get the maximum impact, and that is to remind of your level of intelligence. So what is wrong with being educated by well wishers? The important fact is that I am a million times more intelligent than the whole lot of you combined. You guys, are you the lot that would form the next cabinet if ever you won the elections? Come on get some education, it never hurts.
Katie, I think the comment by Habasonda is neutral. Kabonde is on record saying he was going to deploy riot policemen from Kamfinsa to Mufumbwe…. Is reminding the man about his duty being partisan? See now the fire you have attracted!
##11, don’t you worry about the language of thugs. Insults are a tactic used by PF cadres to intimidate those who want to speak freely. I take comfort in the fact that without exception bullies are cowards and they get defeated very easily.
Lee Habasonda neutral? You do not know the man, and his organisation was de-registered, I think I read somewhere in reports from the courts. If true he should not masquarade as leader of an NGO.
UPND won the Solwezi by-election by frightening MMD supporters thus forcing them not to go and vote. It is not a legitimate win when you use fear to stop others from voting? This is a false win! In a multiparty democracy, people must be free to express their support. It does not matter why they vote the way they do. What matters is that they should vote.
In the USA, some people voted against Obama because he is black and they are white supremists. It does not matter that they are racist. What metters is that they turn up to vote. This is what is important for democracy to work. If the republican party used threats to force people not to vote for Obama, the USA would have been stuck with McCain against our will.
To embrace democracy, every eligible person must be allowed to vote.