The MMD has said Mongu Diocese Catholic Bishop Paul Duffy is safe and does not need to worry about being attacked by the party’s youth wing.
Speaking in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, MMD deputy national chairperson Chembe Nyangu maintained the party was not violent, as purported by some sections of society.
Reacting to concerns raised by Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) executive director Engwase Mwale’s calls that the MMD should come out in the open to denounce the Copperbelt youth wing militia allegedly threatening to travel to Mongu to sort out Bishop Duffy, Mr Nyangu said there would be no harm on the cleric.
“Bishop Duffy is safe as far as our position is, the MMD is not a violent party, all we are asking of him is to tone down, our stance is clear as a party, we do not condone violence,” he said.
[pullquote]“It does not mean that we have not taken any action against our members who made threats against Bishop Duffy, we do not need to go to the media to announce what course of action we took,” he said.
“We are the same people who have taken the United Party for National Development (UPND) to court for alleged violence during the Mufumbwe by-election, this is because we do not condone violence, so how can we turn around and change our position today?” he questioned.[/pullquote]
He said the party leadership counselled its youth wing on the Copperbelt, and assured the public that no harm would be done to Bishop Duffy.
Mr Nyangu said there was no way a party that strongly condemned violence, would change its stance in order to harm people in the country.
“It does not mean that we have not taken any action against our members who made threats against Bishop Duffy, we do not need to go to the media to announce what course of action we took,” he said.
“We are the same people who have taken the United Party for National Development (UPND) to court for alleged violence during the Mufumbwe by-election, this is because we do not condone violence, so how can we turn around and change our position today?” he questioned.
Mr Nyangu said the party leadership in Western Province would seek audience with the Bishop, to reach an amicable agreement.
This follows calls by both Mrs Mwale and Fr Patrick Chibuye of Mpika who called for action to be taken against the MMD militia for allegedly threatening violence on Bishop Duffy.
The two were quoted in Tuesday’s edition of The Post newspaper as having said that any form of violence would impact negatively, and called on the MMD to discipline those championing such causes.
Last week, Copperbelt MMD information secretary Chiko Chibale was quoted as having said the MMD in the province would not condone the continued attacks on the party and Government by Bishop Duffy, and the party would constitute a crack squad to manhandle the clergyman.
[ Times of Zambia ]
I want the PF/Mwembe vuvuzela planted blogger Smooth Criminal to read the article and take note of the position the person issuing the statement holds.
I also want him to take note that no “crack squad” has been mentioned.
I have been vindicated \:d/
The crack squard caused meyhem in mufumbwe. MMD have been caught with their pants down on this one. They perpetuate violence at the same time go to court and accuse others!
Thats the police’s job
Yo mean the Police are not going to do anythings about this?
useless and violent party mmd..u lost Mufumbwe…wowowowowowow
Chembe Nyangu is a Shameless liar, same as he was doing in Nyimba. Its the same MMD who beat up people, including N’gandu Magande, at Chibombamilimo’s funeral, beat up journalists in full view of RB at the airport, and have conducted many other similar violent incidents in the past.
Regarding Mufumbwe, they have been quick to go to court because they were given the test of their own medicine by the mighty UPND. PF should also just organise their youth wing and “ponona” the MMD thugs on the Copperbelt, especially Chiko Chibale, so that he realises that time is up for MMD
This Nyangu is Unip when did he become MMD? Besides one would have expected the IG to make a statement on the issue. As for number 1 we have sen how the same Chiko stormed the Catholic Church in Ndola and poured Shake Shake on the priest and other congregants. The police or MMD have so far failed to take action against this chap.
Everyone active in the current Administration are all UNIP. MMD has been hijacked from the acting president down.
benendict razenger the catholic pope was in UK last week and he apologised for the massive abuse of young boys by catholic priests and homosexuality. this paul duffy the yankee should go back to gay torn USA. we are a clean society. duffy should go and speak for the thousand homeless black yankees who sleep in corridors and depandant on pot
Bishop Duff, please leave him alone so that he voice for us poor zambian. We are really suffering in our own rich zambia land. God has blessed zambia but selfish MMD are the one enjoying. It is true we need change in our land zambia…………
Lady Gaga
So are you saying RB was stu.pid when he apologised to HH and Zambians of Indian origin over remarks he made on HH’s wife??
Or are you looking for someone else to etch a tatoo in your “ntweno” after Russel Brand categorically refused to grant you the honour of doing it after your request and branded you an evil tart??
@ 9,
do u have brains or u just yap because u r a cadre, argue intelligently, so u think your fellow cadres were right in making their threats. I feel for some of u MMD fooolz who do not reason at all. Leave Duffy alone.
# 1, Crack Squad has not been mentioned. Nyangu assured the nation that MMD will not harm the Lord’s worker -Bishop Duffy, but nowhere does it mention that he denied the existence of the squad. Why did he pronounce it here clearly that they really do not exist?
MMD are a pack of cadres, they just yap but can’t do anything to Bishop Duffy or any Zambian Citizen or resident. Let them continue yapping till after 2011.
Hello. And Bye.