A consortium of Civil Society Organisations have condemned the United Party for National Development (UPND) for attacking persons living with a disability on Wednesday.
Speaking during a press briefing at Mika Lodge today, MISA-Zambia Vice-Chairperson who is also CRECO Chairperson, Hyde Haguta said the suggestions being made by UPND leaders and members that Mr. Hichilema’s house is not a public park for the disabled is not only an insult to citizens who live with disabilities but inhuman.
“We want to be clear that Mr. Hichilema is not an ordinary citizen but the biggest opposition leader in Zambia. If persons who are vulnerable can be turned away from the house of an opposition leader, we wonder what will happen if, by any chance, that leader took over the reins of power. We totally condemn the barbaric act by Mr. Hichilema’s security personnel but also call on Mr. Hichilema to unreservedly apologize to the disability community.”
Mr. Haguta also expressed shock that UPND Members of Parliament troop from one hotel to another to debate Bill with people who can’t make decisions but could walk away from debating Bill 10 with fellow decision and lawmakers in Parliament.
“We want to remind our parliamentarians that their primary role is to make and amend laws in parliament, by fully engaging and participating in the debates on the floor of the National Assembly, including voting for progressive legislative that responds to the dynamic needs of the citizens,” said Haguta.
The civil society organizations have also commended the Government for measures meant to prevent the coronavirus pandemic by providing guidance and directives to close all institutions of learning and issuance of the necessary statutory instruments that will enable all relevant government wings to effectively work and implement protocols to combat the coronavirus.
“The first step in combating coronavirus is stopping the spread of it. People who might be exposed must immediately seek medical help, self-quarantine measures can equally protect close family members as well as the general public,” said Haguta.
The eight organizations include the Media Institute for Southern African – Zambian Chapter (MISA- Zambia) Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and Southern Centre for Constructive Resolutions of Disputes (SACCORD). Others are Zambia National Students Union (ZANASU), Zambian Institute of Governance and Civil Liberties Advocacy Platform (ZIGCLAP), National Youth Anti-Corruption Movement (NYACM) Common Ground Grounds Network (CGN) and Constitutional Reform and Education Coalition (CRECO)
So you are the CSOs that want to promote lawlessness!? We are tired of thugery politics,if they feel strongly about UPND’s stance on Bill 10 why not engage them with civility,instead protests at a private residency and without a permit!
I want to see pictures of those PF are insulting as ifilema. I respect the PF’s Luapula province minister, he a bit handicap. I picked up a fight with him, in 2017. I said “mudala ine nshilwa ne filema”. He was so furious “.. Ndekuponona mwaiche, kanshi kanshi tawanjishaba bwino…” He said.
I apologized, you can ask Ba Davies Mwila who was just laughing at me, when others kept cooling down Ba Deputy minister by then.
From that time I respect him, and treat him equal. Next time we square off, and fight. I am training!!! Handicap or not kuiponona fye.
when shawn tembo was attacked -ziiiiiii
when upnd youth were attacked in kabwata on valentines day-ziiiiiiii
when pf youth clobbered each other on youth day-ziiiiii
when pensioners got socked and dreanched at the ministry of justice pushing for the pay-ziiiiiiiiiiiiiii
ZAPD conducts a protest amid corona virus threat, with police notice and tresspassing on private property INSTEAD OF PUSHING FOR SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER-uwiuwiuwi.
UPND thinks they are entitled to rule this country because of tribe. Politics isn’t about tribe but winning people including those who are disabled. But knowing HH, he soon will parade disabled UPND members to make a point
I don’t agree to this!! When did they obtain authority to meet HH in accordance with POA? CK appeared in court for meeting 11 employees in Luanshya who had gone to him to complain !! Where was this organization to defend him? Let them apply to the police but should make request known to HH. If he Agee’s then when and good. Let only representatives go there
I dont have the facts on this issue, but whenever I see ntewewe and his farce of an n.g.o i just want to vomit. The man is an absolute disgrace.
But whatever the case, the lesson to be learned here is that caderism has taken over thr country. Both pf and upnd are equally guilty. We have violent caders running around with weapons assaulting their opponents. Rhis culture is destroying our nation
Why CSO and PF discrimination their fellow disabled people? Treat them as normal.
Bushe ifilema tebantu? Stop discriminatory press conferences, we are equal. HH also is a victim, he was once jailed arrested by mentally disabled people, charging him with treason. Look at Mumbi Phiri, Sunday Chanda, Kaizer, all mental patients….
In our kleptocracy, the moment you elect to join politics then you’re no longer a private figure. You must immediately begin to regulate your life and moderate your speech. Control your temper because sometimes, in fact most of the time you’ll be provoked. Provocation will come be it deliberate or otherwise. However, Hichilema lacks wisdom because he’s a violent man. He almost beat Edith Nawakwi when she reminded him that he wasn’t the UDA President because there was no such position in their alliance. I’m not surprised by this incident because that’s the kind of person he is, no wonder their supporters butcher each other. The UPND and PF must be de-registered because of violence and kleptomania. If at all by some miracle Hichilema finds himself at Plot 1, many will suffer. Just…
UPND is just a violent party and anti disabled persons. Us who are disabled will remember this during voting in 2021
Capacity by YALI to mobilize voices against Upnd is amazing. Now using Tonga brothers and sisters to hit us hard
See how you went tribal their. Tongas are brothers and sisters to all Zambians. They have the right to mingle with anyone they want. They are not yours but God’s children. Let politics and regional nonsense not put a veil on your face. Wrong is wrong. Two wrongs here.
Is UPND equal to Tonga. Why is condemning UPND or HH seen as being anti Tonga. Any Tonga brother who supports a non Tonga is a sell out. Has no principles. Honestly we cannot equate a party to a tribe
Stop it!
@Matumbo, you are full of feaces….lol
UPND are have accepted that they had beaten up the disabled and are some doubting the behavior of upnd.It is very shameful to beat innocent people who went just lodge a complaint, this is barbaric, inhuman,satanic, retrogressive and id*tic.
Why is this movement against HH growing. Chipenzi must up his game, he is liability to party
Edgar Lungu runs a tolerant govt which allow stooges like Chipenzi freedom to speak, day HH will take over all these CSOs will be sunk. HH dictatorship scares me. I would rather vote for devil I know than Hichilema. It’s not about him being Tonga but his bad heart
It is barbaric,satanic and inhuman behavior and this the real upnd.
PF will do anything to destroy UPND and HH. They mobilized people with disabilities to camp at HH’s residence to cause confusion. What PF did was wrong. Unfortunately, UPND did not use the right procedure to dismiss these people. They could have reported this problem to the police. Unfortunately, the police in Zambia tend to side with the Ruling Party which in this case is PF.
A Batch of mulnulrished PF surrogate…..
Playing double standards
UPND is also uselessssssss party.PF is not performing but this UPND can’t be trusted.Who told them that walking out is a solution?Those who are against can vote against.They were telling lies about Bill 10.I listerned to the debate.If they are truth let them go in parliament.They ran away bcoz they were lying.What a bunch of jokers.Why beating disabled people.Zambias let us be objective.PF is uselessssss but UPND is more uselesssssssssssssss.If PF fails i’ll won’t vote period.I can’t vote for UPND.So far they have failed to take advantage of falliers of PF
I strongly suspect you are a hard core tribalist who cant imagine UPND in govt……..
Our squabbles are always trivial. The real issues that are affecting the common folks are ignored. For instance, the Rwandese are taking over the small businesses in our country. The Rwandese come with minimum capital and start renting our simple shops in the suburbs whilst getting groceries on credit from Indians. These guys became comfortable within short periods of time whilst we are napping. The recent saga of Mealie Meal opened our eyes how selfish these Rwandese can be. It is sad that this is happening when Zambia is struggling with issues of unemployment. I have never voted before but any Political Party that will address this issue can be assured of my vote.
Why am I not hearing anyone of these organizations condemn the protesters for going to a private residence of someone without even notifying them, that is trespassing and it is a criminal offense in Zambia. When you fail to notify someone then you are simply doing it for someone else who sent you. These CSO’S are not even questioning how those people got authority to go protest and why in the number they went amidst Corona outbreak? Why are these CSO’S quiet about the genuine anomalies and concerns raised by Dipak Patel in the high court, how did we not follow a constitution every sworn in person pledged to uphold in contracting debt that has severely affected our economy?
The disabled were wrong to go to HH’s house uninvited, UPND was very very wrong for beating them up.
Did the police escort the protesters? If not then what is this fuss all about, that procession of protesters is illegal, the only reason it went ahead is because it had the blessing of PF officials who are hell bent on seeing bill 10 go through at all costs. Like some commentors above have said emotions should not take lead in dealing with matters that border on the constitution and people must be objective. Why have pensioners not gone to protest the removal of the bill from parliament as it also significantly puts them at a disadvantage? because they are more mature and allowing their members in parliament fight it for them. The reasoning of these CSO’S is warped and very bias.
Ba UPND learn to counter such issues arising out of nowhere in manner worthy of the biggest opposition in Zambia. Lowering yourselves to the level of your protesters doesn’t seat well with the general public. Despite being an illegal protest UPND should have shown restraint in how they dealt with the matter, the disabled are part of the people you are fighting for by championing for a development that benefits all because development has no segregation it is for all. The least you could have done is receive the protesters tell them why you think the bill should not go through and assure them that they are part of the reason UPND is fighting for an improved or proper bill to be presented in parliament.
HH is personal. He doesn’t like anyone who disagrees with him. Those disabled citizens are victims of his intolerance
“We want to remind our parliamentarians that their primary role is to make and amend laws in parliament, by fully engaging and participating in the debates on the floor of the National Assembly, including voting for progressive legislative that responds to the dynamic needs of the citizens,” said Haguta.
BOTH ZAPD AND HH ARE NOT MPs, SO WHAT WAS ZAPD ‘S ROLE TO TAKE BILL 10 TO MR HH’s RESIDENCE, IF ITS NOT THEIR ROLE TO DEBATE AND AMEND LAWS? I NEED SERIOUS RULING ON THIS MATTER.
The PF is abusing people of disabilities by transporting them to HH’s house. This act is very shameful. How do you take advantage of someone’s disability for political purposes? Do you remember that the same people were harassed when they went to State House sometime back? Regarding the NGOs, do those guys have jobs besides making noise everytime?
Hh with his dunderhead failure advisors who have ensured he’s lost elections since 2006, have never had an agenda for this country except their selfish interests. Apapena mwanyela pa mbale…
Zambian citizen your vote is jst one so dont behave as if you a million votes to ur self.
You Blind and backward briefcase CSOs, you should be condemning the PF people who took the disabled to somebody’s Private Residence to deliver verbal abuse at him! First, We are talking about Criminal Trespass here and secondly, no one would beat up a disabled just like that unless they have done something Stoopid. These were unruly disabled citizens who inflicted verbal injuries to Resident Security, hence they they got what they were asking for. Disability is no license to commit crime! If HH cares about his safety, he should be taking Legal action against the these unruly disabled for Criminal Trespass and to establish who their sponsors are!
Parliament could not go on because of coronavirus, here we have grown men congregating shoulder to shoulder as if they have something serious to tell the nation only to talk about one individual. First of all those disabled people had no right of matching to someone’s house, they needed a permit and permission especially now with corona. This unruly behavior is why most do not trust PF amending our most important document. These poor disabled people are not even invited to the statehouse why do they think PF cares for them. The disabled need to wake up and smell the coffee before they are used and dumped
Am sure those guys invited that action. Why should you do wrong things ati because you disabled no one will touch you.
Why visiting someone over work at home and not the office. Upnd has offices. Go there and discuss with a police permit.