ZAMBIA: Catholic Bishops Speak Out on Various issues affecting their Country
invited guests, New Year greetings from us, the Zambia Episcopal Conference.
occasion of our first plenary session in 2014, we have invited you here to share
with you and through you with the nation our perspective of various issues that
are affecting our country.
1. Introduction
Almighty God for preserving our country in relative peace and unity throughout
2013.
We note with
joy and gratitude to God that this year, our country is celebrating its golden
jubilee of independence. This is a great achievement for our country. In this
vein, we give thanks to God for his mercy on our country; we honour our
founding fathers and mothers who sacrificed for our freedom and salute every
individual Zambian for their personal contribution to the harmony we enjoy in
our country, today. Scripture says; “Blessed are the peace makers, for they
shall be called Children of God.” Matthew 5: 9
2. Issues for reflection.
the New Year, it is incumbent upon us to share with the nation our perspective of various issues
The state of
our country is the responsibility of all of us and therefore each one of us has
a duty to contribute to the wellbeing of people and harmony in our country. In
a great measure, Zambians have lived up to this task and we urge them to
continue.
3. The Duty of Government
that since Zambia attained independence about 50 years ago in 1964, the country
has had relatively stable successive governments elected by the people of
Zambia in various political systems. Being elected by the people, this bestows
great responsibility on the part of government. At all times, government must
endeavour to work to promote the common wellbeing of all the people. We all know
that the way government manages public affairs and exercises its stewardship of
power invariably affects everyone in the country. Therefore citizens expect
their government, amongst other things, to be humble listeners to the people
who are the real masters of governors; to promote integral development and to
guarantee peace and political stability; to ensure that human rights are
respected and that there are good health facilities and education system, and
that majority people have access to such facilities, but above all that all
citizens are treated with dignity and respect.
4. Taking Stock in the New Year
the New Year, we need to indeed take stock of our country so that we improve on
what we are doing well and avoid the pitfalls that we have experienced in the
past. We acknowledge the effort government is making to improve the welfare of
the Zambian people and their dignity. We recognize, in particular, improvements
to the economy and road infrastructure development in some parts of the
country.
5. Challenges
the gains mentioned above, we note with deep concern that the strides Zambia
could have made continue to be negated and eroded by governance arrogance of
the know it all type. There is demonstration of lack of humility among some of
our leaders and this has led to lack of stakeholder consultation when making
decisions on key policy matters. Why is it that those who try to question
certain practices are treated with scorn and humiliation? These are maneuvers
meant to intimidate people from participating in their own affairs and
providing checks and balances in the governance of this country.
To date
there are many unresolved issues and negative developments that are taking our
country many years backwards. In our similar statement at the beginning of
2013, some of these governance concerns were raised, for instance:
our country,
politicians and leaders,
Public Order Act by the Zambia Police Service,
situation in our country,
with regard to the Barotse issue in Western Province,
process.
It’s is sad
that these concerns have continued to be unresolved even as we enter 2014.
Today again we reiterate our concern on the same issues and many more and state
where we as Zambia Episcopal Conference stand on those issues.
5.1 The need for co-existence,
tolerance and respect in politics
the return to multi-partism in 1991should be enhanced by an acknowledgement
that Zambia now has many political parties. It is normal, therefore, for the
political atmosphere to be characterized by divergent views and political
ideologies. In this respect, freedom of expression and association should not
only be tolerated but should be allowed to flourish. We once again deplore the
abuse and biased application of the Public Order Act by the Police Service.
The
political environment in Zambia, today, is characterized by manipulation,
patronage and intimidation of perceived government opponents. We urge the
government to stop using state security institutions to intimidate its own
nationals. The police service in particular must be professional and impartial
in carrying out their duties of maintaining law and order. Too many of the
nation’s resources and time are wasted on politicking at the expense of real
development. This culture must change for the better.
5.2 Unnecessary by-elections
lament the vast sums of money that have gone and continue to go into holding of
by-elections. These funds could have given Zambians many schools and hospitals.
We appeal to the whole country to seriously reflect on how best unnecessary
by-elections can be avoided. We are aware that this is worsened by the stalled
constitution making process that could have provided legal limitations to
by-elections. That is why we demand putting back on track the constitution
making process which will give Zambians a chance to resolve problems inherent
in our governance processes like elections.
5.3 The failure to pursue a
predictable constitution making process after a spirited start in November 2011
imperative that the Government should decidedly set a legacy for itself by
bringing this matter to a logical conclusion that is acceptable to all
stakeholders.
We believe
that the draft of the Technical Committee is a summation of the wishes and
aspirations of the Zambian people. What needs to be done now is for the
Government to take the necessary steps that will move this process forward as
demanded by the people of Zambia. We cannot go the way of the Inquiries Act,
whereby the President and his cabinet sit to cherry-pick what they think should
be in the constitution. We have been down this route before where respective
ruling parties have desired that the constitution be made in their party’s
image and likeness. This has always not worked and it will not work even now.
The people
of Zambia are demanding nothing less than a constitution given to themselves by
themselves. The final draft Constitution prepared by the Justice Silungwe
technical committee should without further delay be released to the public and
other stakeholders, consistent with the roadmap announced by the Constitution
Technical Committee at the commencement of its mandate. The people have spoken
many times over the years and even now; they want the constitution adopted
through a referendum, Vox Populi, Vox dei,-the
voice of the people is the voice of God. We reject the excuse of expenses given
the fact that the country has lost huge amounts of money in the botched
processes of the past. Now we have a chance to resolve this long standing
constitution issue in a more sustainable way. This chance should not be allowed
to yet again pass.
5.4 Food Security Situation
security situation of the country is at threat and it has been escalated by the
late delivery of farming inputs particularly fertiliser for the 2013/2014
farming season. There has been a nationwide cry on the late delivery of farming
inputs. This delay is likely to negatively affect this year’s maize harvest.
Unfortunately, this comes at a time of increased meal prices, which have partly
been caused by the removal of subsidies on maize and fuel which has in turn
resulted in the high cost of living. Many families are seriously struggling to
make ends meet. We call on Government to mitigate the suffering of its people.
Further, we hope that this year, 2014, the government will avoid delays in
distributing farming inputs. The Government should seriously explore remedial
measures to mitigate the impact of high meal prices on the poor.
5.5 The failure to engage
constructively with traditional leaders in order to resolve disagreements
number of outstanding issues involving traditional leaders that are almost
threatening their status in the Zambian society. At the root of this is the behaviour of some
politicians trying to interfere with traditional institutions. Traditional
affairs and conflicts related to succession should be resolved by set customs,
procedures and systems within the traditional structures with recourse to the
courts of law when need be. Government should only come in when such systems
violate state laws and human rights.
5.6 The role of the media in
Zambia
having a thriving professional media cannot be over emphasized. The media play
a big role as the fourth estate by educating and informing the public. We
deplore the practice of harassing media personnel by some members of the public
when these noble men and women are on duty. Government must put in measures to
protect media personnel.
As ZEC, we
are also concerned about the way government is dragging its feet in enacting
the Freedom of Information Bill. This matter has been outstanding for a long
time through successive regimes clearly as a result of lack of political will.
We want to see this law enacted in this jubilee year.
On the other
hand, the media should objectively, accurately and truthfully bring out issues
as they are. Unfortunately, we are seeing a media environment in Zambia that is
highly polarized and compartmentalized along political preferences. This has
deeply undermined the integrity of our media. We call upon both the public and
private media to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics.
5.7 Standoff with striking/fired
nurses
commentary and blame apportioning has been made by stakeholders on the standoff
between government and the nurses. For us the only losers are the poor people
who have died and continue to die due to lack of attention by our health
institutions. People were dying when nurses went on strike and they continue to
die now when government has punished the nurses by firing them. This is surely
a no win situation for the patients who are suffering in our hospitals,
Therefore government must play a leading role in adopting a more reconciliatory
approach in the resolution of this situation that continues to endanger the
lives of citizens. We want to encourage dialogue and solutions that put the
interest of patients first.
6. Governing by decrees
statements in 2013, we consistently appealed to government to promote a culture
of consultation as a basis of policy and decision making. Ruling by decrees is
not only undemocratic but also denies our country the benefit of bright ideas
that could be offered by many citizens not in positions of decision making.
Some decrees have led to policies that raise great challenges to implement. In
the past we have talked about decrees on creation of a multitude of districts;
today it is the issue of using local languages as a mode of instruction at
lower primary in our schools and then the issue of SI No. 103.
6.1 Introduction of local languages
as a medium of instruction at lower primary in our school:
directive to use local languages as medium of instruction in our lower primary
schools is proving to be a major challenge with respect to implementation.
Teachers are not enough or trained to cater for the language diversity of our
country. It is also unjust and a violation of human rights to force children to
learn in local languages that are not their native languages. This arrangement
will definitely advantage children who are native speakers of the language of
instruction above their peers who are not. We urge government to immediately
withdraw this policy and engage in real consultations on it.
6.2 The Statutory Instrument No.
103 of 2013
revocation of the tax exemption for Public Benefit Organizations and Non- State
charitable actors such as the Church through the Statutory Instrument No. 103
of 2013 is seriously ill advised. The implementation of this policy decision in
our view is punishing the majority poor who are the beneficiaries of the
services offered by the Church and other charity institutions. If the decision on SI 103 is not reversed, it
will be impossible to offer social services as the Church is doing now.
Therefore as ZEC, it is regrettable that we may be forced to disengage from
offering social services such as health, education, vocational training, home
based care and hospices due to diminished capacity occasioned by the
implementation of SI 103. The implication of this is that the poor who are the
main beneficiaries of the services of the Church will suffer as they will be
deprived of essential social services provided by donations from overseas
through local charities. We urge the Government to seriously reconsider and reinstate
the previous procedure which provided appropriate criteria for clearance.
7. The Golden Jubilee of Independence
celebrate the golden jubilee of Zambia’s political independence, we appeal to
all citizens to reshape Zambia into a country full of great prosperity. We also
call for the nation to use the Golden Jubilee to foster dialogue,
reconciliation and social justice. Let it be a year of renewal, self cleansing
and reconstruction.
the government to quickly give clear direction and programme of events and
activities that will be carried out during 2014 to mark the commemoration of
the golden jubilee of Zambia’s independence. In this way, the nation will fully
own the celebration and participate fully.
8. Conclusion
Episcopal Conference, we give these views on the state of our nation with great
humility and deep concern for the people of Zambia. We mean well and we pray
for Zambia to be a successful democracy. It is our hope that this year will
make a difference in the way we do our politics. We look forward to the
resolution of many unresolved issues that we have highlighted in this press
conference this morning –issues to do with our republican constitution, matters
with traditional rulers, delays in the distribution of farming inputs,
by-elections, lack of consultation on policy issues (e.g. education and SI 103)
and acrimony in our political landscape to name but a few.
Members of
the press, distinguished invited guests, Thank you for your attendance. May God
bless our great country.
Issued at Kapingila ZEC House,
Lusaka, Zambia on 23rd January, 2014
Kasama, Apostolic Administrator of Mpika and ZEC President
of Ndola and ZEC Vice president
• Most. Rev. Telesphore-George
Mpundu – Archbishop of Lusaka
• Rt. Rev. Raymond Mpezele – Bishop
of Livingstone
• Rt. Rev. Emilio Patriaca –
Bishop of Monze
• Rt. Rev. George Cosmas Zumaile
Lungu – Bishop of Chipata
• Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde –
Bishop of Solwezi
• Rt. Rev. Evans Chinyama
Chinyemba, OMI – Bishop of Mongu
• Rt. Rev. Clement Mulenga, SDB –
Bishop of Kabwe
• Rt. Rev. Benjamin Phiri –
Auxiliary Bishop of Chipata
• Very Rev. Fr. Michael, M. Afr.
– Apostolic Administrator of Mansa
• Rt. Rev. Aaron Chisha – Bishop
Emeritus of Mansa
