SINKAMBA SLAMS ‘IRRESPONSIBLE’ M’MEMBE
By ADRIAN MWANZA
SOCIALIST Party leader Fred M’membe is being divisive and irresponsible by insinuating that the violence that was witnessed during the just ended elections was justified, Green Party president Peter Sinkamba has said.
Dr M’membe reportedly said the removal of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) from power using violence and counter electoral malpractices was justified as the former ruling party allegedly mismanaged the affairs of the country.
Mr Sinkamba said however it was being irresponsible for a leader to speak in that manner. He said Dr M’membe’s utterances were in bad taste, as there was need to denounce violence in unison at all costs. Mr Sinkamba said the violence that was witnessed during the ended election could have degenerated into total chaos in the country.
He said political leaders needed to emulate first republican president Kenneth Kaunda who believed in non-violence even under extreme provocation by then Southern Rhodesia. Mr Sinkamba said the violence in the PF and UPND were because the two entities were in a pact and that when the pact collapsed their militias remained. He said he was happy with the stance that was taken by President Hakainde Hichilema who denounced cadres and hoped he would walk the talk and stop violence.