IT is so pathetic that some Zambians have allowed themselves to sink so low as to take pleasure in the misfortune of others.
They derive pleasure when there is misfortune and go to great lengths pretending as though they care, when all they are doing is trying to attract attention to themselves.
Yesterday, the nation put to rest a young man, Ian Mutambo who died in a tragic road traffic accident involving a Power Tools passenger bus on Saturday in the North-Western Province.
Ian, who was employed as a Laboratory Technician in the Ministry of Health and based in Zambezi was assigned to deliver some bio-hazard samples to a laboratory in Ndola.
There have been a lot of talk as to why dangerous specimens should be carried on a public transport vehicle, that the government should have provided a special vehicle.
But they have conveniently ignored the fact that Government explained that the samples were securely packaged and recovered intact.
Even former Vice President Enoch Kavindele recalled in our edition yesterday that as Health Minister, they routinely transported samples using public transport – road and air.
No one would have wished Ian to die in that road traffic accident and no sane person should therefore start pointing fingers at anyone.
What the nation should be doing now more than ever before, is to console Ian’s family over their loss.
We are comforted by the fact that Ian’s uncle, Mr Humphrey Chisenga has called for an end to finger pointing over his death.
Mr Chisenga said during Ian’s burial in Mpika yesterday that his nephew died while performing national duties and that accidents occur under normal circumstances.
Ian, who was born in 1996 and employed by the Ministry of Health in 2018 was put to rest at Mufubushi village in Mpika.
Mr Chisenga’s statement during the burial of his nephew should shame the UPND and its cronies who have tried to make political capital out of the unfortunate accident.
The UPND claims that Government is to blame for Ian’s death by not providing adequate transport.
But as Mr Chisenga said, Ian’s death was due to an accident, and it was unforeseen.
Even as the family is mourning, Mr Chisenga was able to thank the government for moral and material support provided.
Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya led a government delegation that attended Ian’s burial and delivered condolences from President Edgar Lungu to the bereaved family.
But is it not surprising that not one notable leader from the opposition parties – particularly the so-called vocal ones – had the decency to travel to Mpika to mourn the young man?
The bottom line is that since they had ensured their names were in print, that was all that mattered.
These are therefore the kind of leaders that Zambians have, who always want to play to the gallery even when the situation does not warrant so.
But as Dr Chilufya noted, Ian died while serving the nation and the least Zambians should do is to mourn him with respect and allow his family breathing space.
MOURNING IAN MUTAMBO
